Raymond Tensing, University of Cincinnati Cop Indicted For Samuel Dubose's Murder

Tensing University of Cincinnati cop fatally shot victim in the head during traffic stop for not having front license tag.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 29, 2015

Cincinnati, Ohio - On Wednesday, Raymond Tensing, 25, a University of Cincinnati (UC) Police Officer was indicted for one felony count of murder and one felony count for voluntary manslaughter in the cold blooded homicide of Samuel DuBose, 43, on July 19. Tensing turned himself to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office just after 2:00 p.m. and was processed. 

The Hamilton County Coroner ruled DuBose's death as a homicide.

Tensing stopped DuBose about a mile from the university campus for simply not having a front license plate tag.

Tensing was wearing a body camera when he questioned DuBose and asked him for his license, which he didn't have it at the time. DuBose told Tensing to look up the registration. Then, Tensing got mad and tried to open the vehicle door as DuBose tries to close it and the officer pulls his gun and within a second fatally shot DuBose in the head. Tensing at first claimed that DuBose dragged him with his vehicle and his life was in danger, but the video shows that DuBose's vehicle slowly rolls after being shot in the head.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters in a press conference on Wednesday stated that, "This was an asinine act which did not have to occur.  There was no reason for this.  And now, Tensing will face a murder charge."

According to the criminal indictment, "Tensing was working as a UC police officer on July 19thwhen he stopped Samuel Dubose's 1998 Honda Accord for not displaying a front license plate.  Officer Tensing asked Mr. Dubose to produce his driver's license which he did not do.  The officer also asked him to unbuckle his seat belt.  Tensing tried to open the car door as Mr. Dubose was trying to close the door.  As Mr. Dubose was closing the car door, he was also turning the ignition back on.  The officer reached in the car and it appears on the body camera video that the officer draws his gun and fires a single shot to Mr. Dubose's head as the car starts to move."

Update: UC Officer Raymond Tensing was arraigned for the murder of Samuel DeBose and pleaded not guilty in court and a $1M bond was set by Hamilton County Judge Megan E. Shanahan.