Ray Tensing pleaded not guilty earlier in day and the judge set his bond set at $1 million, which reportedly drew applause from some people inside the courtroom. Tensing posted 10 percent of that bond just before 7 p.m. Thursday.
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Video obtained by ABC affiliate WCPO in Cincinnati reveals Tensing engaged in a verbal argument with passenger Demetrius Pace, who refused to give his birth date.
“The defendant is faced with the possibility of life in prison”.
Tensing’s next court appearance was scheduled for August. 19.
William Welsh, a Tri-State criminal defense attorney, said he expects other high-profile cases to steal the spotlight before Tensing’s case goes to trial. Body camera video shows Tensing shoot DuBose in the head during a July 19 traffic stop in Mount Auburn. Tensing said he was dragged by the vehicle and forced to shoot at DuBose. Prosecutors also announced that two other officers suspended from the department in connection with the shooting would not be criminally charged.
Terina Allen, DuBose’s sister, said they are happy with the bond, “would like to see justice prevail”. “His interpretation from the time this happened that he was dragged by that auto and thrown off it. I believe we get some witnesses, or an expert to evaluate that tape, we’d be able to substantiate that”.
“You can’t tell me they can’t find 12 people in Hamilton County who won’t approach this with an open mind”, Goodin said. “He took off on me”. Pace and his cousin asked for Tensing’s supervisor, hoping to deescalate the situation. He fired one shot, striking him in the head. MSNBC reports that the footage is what has allowed prosecutors to indict Tensing for murder, for which he faces a life sentence. “He did not. He did not at all”.
LoMonte said university police – especially at private universities – often don’t operate with the same transparency as city departments. Another motorist said he saw the suspect fighting Tensing and trying to get away and Tensing used the stun gun after the suspect continued fighting despite warnings. Members of the victim’s family were in court.
“I didn’t even do nothing”, DuBose can be heard telling Tensing. “Everything is being revealed”.
Mark O’Mara, attorney for DuBose’s family, called for a “peaceful and nonaggressive” response from the community after the officer’s indictment.
“This officer was wrong”, Cincinnati police chief Jeffrey Blackwell said after the video was released, adding that officers “have to be held accountable” when they’re in the wrong.
As the nation approaches the first anniversary of the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, its effects are more visible than ever – in North Charleston, South Carolina, Baltimore, Waller County, Texas, and now Cincinnati.
The grand jury began hearing evidence last week.
DuBose died instantly, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters said.
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Both Pace and Henley said that Tensing was the more aggressive of the two officers who were talking to them.
