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Officer Indicted on Murder Charge in Shooting Death of Motorist
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A University of Cincinnati police officer who shot a motorist during a traffic stop over a missing front license plate has been indicted on murder charges.
Hamilton County’s prosecutor says Wednesday that the grand jury indicted Officer Ray Tensing on a charge of murder in the shooting of 43-year-old Samuel DuBose.
Prosecutor Joe Deters says Tensing “purposely killed him” and “should never have been a police officer.” Deters says he thinks Tensing lost his temper.
Tensing’s attorney had said he wouldn’t be surprised if his client were indicted given the political climate.
According to a police report, Tensing said he was dragged by the car and forced to shoot.
Meanwhile, Ohio’s public safety director says such incidents underscore the need for strong relationships between police departments and the communities they serve.
Director John Born says the work being done by a new Ohio police standards board can’t prevent tragedies from happening, but is meant to ensure that when something bad occurs the community and police are working together, not against each other.
Born spoke as the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board met again Wednesday as it studies rules for law enforcement on the proper use of deadly force.