Officer #RayTensing on Trial for the Murder of #SamDuBose

Posted on November 1, 2016 by SouthernGirl2

tensing-motions-hearingCINCINNATI — Attorneys painted two very different pictures of the traffic stop that led to the shooting of Sam DuBose during opening statements in the murder trial of the former officer who shot him.

Prosecutor Joe Deters called the shooting unwarranted and intentional, while defense attorney Stew Matthews said that DuBose’s actions were threatening Tensing’s life.

Tensing shot DuBose, an unarmed black man, during a traffic stop in July 2015. He is the first law enforcement officer in Cincinnati history to be charged with murder – defined in the indictment as “purposefully” killing another – for an on-duty shooting.

He’s also charged with voluntary manslaughter, a lesser charge.

A Cincinnati Police Detective brings in life size cardboard cutout of the car Sam DuBose was driving when he was shot and killed by Ray Tensing, former University of Cincinnati police officer, July 19, 2015. The car was a 1998 Honda Accord. Tensing is on trial for murder. The presiding judge is Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan. Tensing’s lawyer, Stan Mathews has said Tensing fired a single shot because he feared for his life. The Enquirer/ Carrie Cochran
Family of Sam DuBose sit in the courtroom during the first day of the trial of Ray Tensing, accused of the murder of Sam DuBose. The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran
Tues., Nov. 1, 2016: Sam Dubose’s daughter, Raegan Brooks, watches as Ray Tensing is escorted out of the courtroom on the first day the jury heard the murder trial of Ray Tensing in the death of Sam DuBose. Tensing is out on bond. The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran Tensing, the former University of Cincinnati police officer is charged with murder in the shooting death of Sam DuBose. His attorney Stew Mathews has said Tensing fired a single shot because he feared for his life.
Tues., Nov. 1, 2016: A brother of Ray Tensing, who did not want to be named, listens to opening statements on the first day the jury heard the murder trial of Ray Tensing in the death of Sam DuBose. The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran The former University of Cincinnati police officer is charged with murder in the shooting death of Sam DuBose. His attorney Stew Mathews has said Tensing fired a single shot because he feared for his life.
Tues., Nov. 1, 2016: Aubrey DuBose, Sam DuBose’s brother, listens to opening statements alongside his family on the first day the jury heard the murder trial of Ray Tensing in the death of Sam DuBose. The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran Tensing, the former University of Cincinnati police officer is charged with murder in the shooting death of Sam DuBose. His attorney Stew Mathews has said Tensing fired a single shot because he feared for his life.
Tues., Nov. 1, 2016: Sam Dubose’s daughters Raegan Brooks, right, looks at Ray Tensing’s family during opening statements on the first day the jury heard the murder trial of Ray Tensing in the death of Sam DuBose. The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran Tensing, the former University of Cincinnati police officer is charged with murder in the shooting death of Sam DuBose. His attorney Stew Mathews has said Tensing fired a single shot because he feared for his life.

Deters said Tensing told investigators that he intentionally shot and killed DuBose.

Though it was lawful for Tensing to ask Dubose to step out of the car when he did not produce a driver’s license, Deters said, “What Tensing did next was not legitimate. It was murder. It was totally contrary to training he had received. .. It was totally contrary to the laws in this country concerning a justified shooting.”

Tensing grabbed DuBose’s seat belt with one hand and drew and fired his gun with the other, Deters said. The prosecutor told the jury that DuBose’s foot was moving to the accelerator but not pushing on it yet, and the acceleration was likely a reflex that occurred when the driver was already dead.

Deters pointed out that DuBose did not have a gun or indicate that he did.

“The evidence will show that this case is amazingly simple in terms of proving intent,” Deters said. “The reason that it is simple here is because you will hear from Tensing’s own mouth that he intentionally shot Mr. DuBose in the head.”

About SouthernGirl2

A Native Texan who adores baby kittens, loves horses, rodeos, pomegranates, & collect Eagles. Enjoys politics, games shows, & dancing to all types of music. Loves discussing and learning about different cultures. A Phi Theta Kappa lifetime member with a passion for Social & Civil Justice.
This entry was posted in Black Lives Matter, Current Events, Institutional Racism, Jim Crow laws, JusticeForSamDuBose, Murder, News, Open Thread, Police bruality, Police violence, Racial Oppression, Racial Profiling, Racism, Violence, White Supremacy and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

112 Responses to Officer #RayTensing on Trial for the Murder of #SamDuBose

  77. SouthernGirl2 says:
    November 2, 2016 at 9:41 am

    Officer Phillip Kidd takes the stand

    Reply

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