Ohio officer charged with murder out of jail, free on bond
UPDATE (6:45 p.m.): Former UCPD officer Ray Tensing has posted bond and been released from jail, according to the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts' website.
Court records indicate his father posted $100,085 to get his son out of jail.
Judge Megan Shanahan Thursday morning set bond at $1 million for the former officer who fatally shot Samuel DuBose during a traffic stop July 19.
Tensing is facing a murder charge. Shanahan allowed Tensing to post 10 percent of the bond.
UPDATE (4:50 p.m.): Two University of Cincinnati police officers have been placed on administrative leave in the wake of motorist Sam DuBose's shooting death.
UC spokeswoman Michele Ralston said that Phillip Kidd and David Lindenschmidt are on paid leave.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters told The Enquirer on Thursday afternoon that both Kidd and Lindenschmidt testified before the grand jury that ultimately decided to indict former Officer Ray Tensing on a murder charge.
"They didn't see anything," Deters said of Kidd and Lindenschmidt.
Deters said that he promised DuBose's family he would look at what the officers "said and how they said it, but I did urge them to remember that our focus is on the shooting."
Officer Phillip Kidd reportedly corroborated the story that Ray Tensing, the former University of Cincinnati police officer charged with murder in the death of motorist Samuel DuBose, had been dragged by DuBose’s car.
That has some legal experts predicting that Kidd could be charged with giving a false statement.
“I would expect that to be forthcoming,” said Philip Stinson, a Bowling Green State University criminologist who gathers data on officer arrests. “It was a false statement. The video evidence doesn’t support it. There seems to be the elements of a crime there.”
Original story: $1M bond set for Ohio officer charged with murder
Ray Tensing stood in a courtroom Thursday morning, handcuffed, wearing a faded black-and-white jail uniform.
The now-former University of Cincinnati police officer, charged with murder in a fatal shooting his attorney says was caused because he feared for his life, was arraigned today. Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan set bond at $1 million.
Tensing, 25, pleaded not guilty. Standing in front of Shanahan’s bench, he bowed his head, closed his eyes and never looked at anyone.
When Shanahan set the bond amount, family of Samuel DuBose, killed in the July 19 shooting, erupted into cheers. Shanahan, in her toughest voice, reminded them they were in a courtroom and ordered them to be quiet.
Outside the courtroom, DuBose’s family and friends demanded a conviction. They hugged. Shed tears.
“If this man doesn’t get convicted,” said Kimberly Thomas, DuBose’s friend, “they can shoot me in the head, too.”
For a few seconds, they broke into chant of “No justice. No peace.” Courthouse security quieted them immediately.
One man with a megaphone was heard saying, "Charge the second officer," referring to the officer who reported seeing Tensing being dragged during the July 19 incident.
Tensing’s attorney, Stew Mathews, said he’s going to do his best to get his client out of jail Thursday. Tensing can post 10 percent of the $1 million bond.
“He’s feeling like he was run over by a train.” Mathews said. “He’s still in shock. “
Mathews cautioned the public not to speculate.
“There are two sides to things,” he said. “This case will be tried in a courtroom.”
He repeated his stance that Tensing, who had reached into DuBose’s car window during a traffic stop, feared for his life when he said DuBose started to drive away.
“He thought he was going to be sucked under the car,” Mathews told reporters.
The DuBose family attorney, Mark O’Mara, said no bond should have been set.
His reason: “This was murder without justification. Tensing was in a position of authority, and should be held to a higher standard.”
Tensing’s father, Paul Tensing, and other family members were in the courtroom for the arraignment. Paul Tensing declined to comment after the hearing.