Race not a factor, defense argues
Ohio prosecutor says killing intended
Prosecutors told potential jurors Monday that the former University of Cincinnati police officer standing trial on amurder charge “admitted in a taped interview” with police that “he purposely caused the death of Sam DuBose.”
This is the first time prosecutors have publicly stated the reason they have charged the former officer, Ray Tensing, with murder.
“The defendant himself admitted in a taped interview with Cincinnati police homicide investigators that he purposely caused the death of Sam DuBose,” Assistant Prosecutor Rick Gibson told potential jurors.
Questioning of potential jurors began Monday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.
The revelation – which came as Gibson was describing the case to 14 potential jurors – prompted Tensing’s attorney, Stew Mathews, to object. Both sides met in chambers with JudgeMegan Shanahan, and potential jurors were sent on a break. Whatever was discussed was not addressed in the courtroom.
Cincinnati police investigated the shooting, and part of that involved interviewing Tensing. Details of that have never been made public. The interview came more than 48 hours after the shooting because Tensing’s police contract allows an officer to wait up to 48 hours before making a statement.
Tensing’s attorney, Stew Mathews, has consistently said that Tensing acted in self- defense as DuBose tried to drive away from a traffic stop. He told potential jurors that Tensing “was justified in causing the death of Sam DuBose.”
Mathews also reminded potential jurors to focus on the evidence, not on Tensing’s or DuBose’s race. Tensing is white; DuBose was African- American.
“This case is not about the color of anyman’s skin,” Mathews said.
Officials say they expect the trial to take less than two weeks.
Tensing, 26, shot and killed DuBose as DuBose tried to drive away from a July 2015 traffic stop for a missing front license plate. The incident happened in Mount Auburn, as Tensing patrolled off- campus.
Mathew said Tensing – who was standing by the driver’s door and reached into the car after DuBose restarted the engine – feared for his life after his arm got caught and fired the single shot in self- defense. Prosecutors have said Tensing fired in anger.
Mathews and prosecutors say body camera video shows that DuBose was trying to drive away.