University of Cincinnati Officer Ray Tensing, who shot a motorist during a traffic stop, was indicted on a murder charge Wednesday.
A University of Cincinnati Officer was indicted on a murder charge on Wednesday in the fatal shooting of a motorist that was caught on his bodycam.
Ray Tensing, 25, shot and killed Samuel DuBose, 43, after pulling him over for a missing front license plate near campus on July 19.
Tensing appeared in court for his arraignment on Thursday and pleaded not guilty. His bond was set at $1 million.
Tensing just arrived at courthouse with lawyer @wcpo pic.twitter.com/fiUtoNtWGe
— Tony Mirones (@TMironesWCPO) July 29, 2015
On Wednesday, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said that the officer "purposely killed" DuBose and "should never have been a police officer," The Associated Press reported.
Tensing made the traffic stop near the University of Cincinnati’s main campus.
Authorities said there was a struggle between the two when DuBose refused to produce a driver's license and exit the car.
Tensing claims he was dragged by the car and had no choice but to shoot at the driver. He fired and hit DuBose in the head. But the prosecutor dismissed Tensing's claim that he was dragged by the car, and suggested he shouldn’t have even pulled him over.
At the press conference, Deters played body camera footage that appeared to contradict Tensing's account.
Tensing's lawyer, Stewart Mathews, said he doesn't think there should be an indictment, based on evidence he's seen.
Mark O'Mara, a lawyer for DuBose's family, said the family wants a "peaceful and nonaggressive" response from the community on the indictment, adding that "Sam was a peaceful person."
On Wednesday, the University of Cincinnati closed its main campus in anticipation of grand jury action.
According to Jason Goodrich, the university’s police chief, Tensing worked as a University of Cincinnati police officer since April 2014, and has more than five years of experience in law enforcement.
In his April review, it was noted that he was “extremely strong in the traffic area and maintains control of his weapons and of ‘situations he is involved in.’”
If convicted of murder, Tensing could go to prison for life.
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