Ray Tensing Trial

On July 19, 2015, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Samuel DuBose, an unarmed man, was fatally shot by Ray Tensing, a University of Cincinnati police officer, during a traffic stop for a missing front license plate.

Tensing fired after DuBose started his car.

Tensing stated that DuBose had begun to drive off and that he was being dragged because his arm was caught in the car.

Seen in the bodycam video, Tensing repeatedly requests a driver’s license and DuBose replies that he has a driver’s license, then stating that he does not have it with him.

Tensing asks, “Are you suspended?” Tensing starts to open the driver’s door and orders DuBose to remove his seat belt. DuBose pulls the door closed, starts the engine, and puts the car in drive. Within the next few seconds, Tensing reaches into the car with his left hand, yells “Stop! Stop!”, draws his pistol with his right hand, and fires once striking DuBose. Sources differed as to whether the car was moving before the shot was fired.

According to a report released in September 2015 by Kroll Inc., a risk consulting firm hired by the university, Tensing’s bodycam video showed that he was not dragged. It also said that the car had not moved, or had barely moved, before the gunshot was fired. It faulted both men for unnecessarily escalating the situation, DuBose by failing to comply with Tensing’s command to get out of the car and starting the engine.

After firing, Tensing falls away from the vehicle which accelerates as he and two other officers run after it. After travelling about 400 feet (120 m), the vehicle collided into a telephone pole and came to a stop. After the officers reach the car, the video shows DuBose inside with a gunshot wound to his head.

Prosecutors alleged that footage from Tensing’s bodycam showed that he was not dragged and a grand jury indicted him on charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter.

He was then fired from the police department. He was released on bond before trial. A November 2016 trial ended in mistrial after the jury became deadlocked.

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