July 30--A white former university police officer pleaded not guilty Thursday to murdering black motorist Samuel DuBose, whose shooting death after a traffic stop was captured on video and became the latest killing by law enforcement to fuel protests demanding policing reforms.
Hours later, University of Cincinnati spokeswoman Michele Ralston said two other university police officers had been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of their roles in the incident.
Raymond Tensing, 25, entered the packed Cincinnati courtroom with his hands cuffed behind his back, wearing a striped jail jumpsuit. He entered his plea standing beside his attorney, Stew Matthews.
Some spectators, including members of DuBose's family, erupted in applause when Judge Megan. E. Shanahan set bail at $1 million, drawing an angry rebuke from the bench. "You will conduct yourselves appropriately," the judge ordered the courtroom.
The entire proceeding lasted less than five minutes. Tensing then was led out of the room.
The case is the latest in a series of deadly confrontations between African Americans and police that have sparked nationwide protests and demands for law enforcement reforms. In some of the most high-profile cases, officers have not been indicted, fueling those protests.
The wheels of justice appear to be turning relatively swiftly in this case, due in large part to a body camera worn by the officer. In announcing Tensing's indictment Wednesday, the county prosecutor, Joe Deters, said the video showed that the July 19 shooting of DuBose was a "senseless act."
One of the officers, Phillip Kidd, said he saw the shooting and backed up Tensing's statement that he was being dragged by DuBose's car. Kidd gave his statement to an officer who had responded to the shooting call. The other suspended officer was identified as David Lindenschmidt, who also was at the scene. According to the incident report, it was unclear how much of the altercation Lindenschmidt witnessed.
Matthews has accused the city of throwing his client "under the bus." In comments made Wednesday to Ohio TV station WCPO before the indictment was announced, Matthews indicated that "the political climate here and nationally" made it likely that Tensing would be indicted.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
After the indictment was announced, Audrey DuBose thanked those who had marched in Cincinnati on behalf of her son, who was 43. "I am ready to join the battlefield," she said.
But the family said outside court Thursday that although they were satisfied with the bail amount, they wanted Kidd to be fired and charged.
Prosecutors have said the video shows that Tensing was not being dragged when he shot DuBose once in the head.
"He was an outright liar," DuBose's sister, Terina Allen, said of Kidd. "He lied, and if it was not for this video we'd have two police officers saying it was my brother who tried to kill a police officer."
As she spoke to reporters, a man shouted repeatedly through a megaphone, "We want that officer charged."
Allen, growing tearful at times, urged that any protests remain peaceful. "Please do not do anything to defame Sam's name or character," she said.
Tensing's next court appearance was scheduled for Aug. 19.
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UPDATES
2:46 p.m.: This story has been updated to include the announcement that two other officers who were at the scene have been placed on paid administrative leave.
8:30 a.m.: This story has been updated with calls for the arrest of the second officer who was at the scene of the DuBose shooting.
This story was originally published at 7:42 a.m.
