A grand jury has indicted Ray Tensing, the University of Cincinnati police officer who fatally shot an unarmed Black man last month, on murder charges.
Tensing shot Samuel DuBose, a father of 10, during a July 19 traffic stop near the university campus. According to the New York Times, DuBose was stopped after Tensing noticed the green Honda Accord he was driving did not have a front license plate. When Tensing asked for DuBose’s license, the 43-year-old reportedly handed him a bottle of alcohol. At some point, the officer fired one shot into DuBose’s head.
DuBose was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the Wednesday press conference to announce the indictment, handed down by a grand jury in Hamilton County, Joe Deters, the Hamilton County prosecutor, said Tensing “purposely killed” DuBose. Deters, who says he was “shocked” after watching the nearly 10-minute video of the encounter, told reporters the incident “shouldn’t have happened.”
Despite claims made by Tensing in the initial police report that he was dragged during the incident and feared for his life, Deters confirmed that the story was “nonsense,” adding that the dirt from Tensing’s uniform came from him falling backwards after he shot DuBose.
The University of Cincinnati campus was shut down in preparation for the grand jury announcement. This week, DuBose’s family held a news conference to announce that George Zimmerman’s former attorney will represent them in a case against the city.
The disturbing video of DuBose’s death is to be released to the public Wednesday.
This is the first time in history an on-duty Cincinnati police officer has been indicted in the shooting of a civilian. Tensing could face 15 years to life in prison if he is convicted.
SOURCE: NYT | VIDEO SOURCE: NDN
RELATED LINKS:
Ferguson Beating Victim Wins Appeal Against Local Police Department
Mother Of Eight Becomes Fifth Black Woman To Die In A Police Holding Cell This Month
#SamuelDuBose: UC Police Officer Ray Tensing Indicted In Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man was originally published on newsone.com
