Prosecution: Tensing told police he 'purposely' killed DuBose
Key developments:
- Prosecutors: Tensing admitted in taped interview he purposely caused DuBose's death
- Defense: Video of the shooting only tells part of the story
- Opening statements and trip to the scene of the shooting on Tuesday
Prosecutors told potential jurors Monday that the former University of Cincinnati police officer standing trial on a murder charge “admitted in a taped interview” with police that “he purposely caused the death of Sam DuBose.”
It was the first time prosecutors publicly said that Ray Tensing’s statements are the reason they charged the former officer with murder. It was also a preview of what prosecutors will argue as they ask the jury to convict Tensing.
“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.
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The revelation came during jury selection Monday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. A jury of six women and six men was sworn in, and is expected to begin hearing the case Tuesday.
Tensing’s attorney, Stew Mathews, objected to jurors hearing about what Tensing allegedly said. Both sides discussed it privately in Judge Megan Shanahan's chambers, and it was never brought up again.
Mathews told potential jurors Monday that Tensing "was justified in causing the death of Sam DuBose," as he elaborated on his previous comments that Tensing acted in self-defense as DuBose tried to drive away from a traffic stop.
Mathews said the widely publicized body camera video – that appears to show Tensing grab DuBose’s seat belt before shooting him in the head as DuBose tried to drive away – only tells part of the story.
The video, he said, is not clear and only one piece of evidence. Mathews is expected to argue that Tensing’s arm was somehow lodged inside the car, he was dragged and he feared for his life.
Opening statements are expected to happen sometime Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, jurors will be driven to the scene of the July 19, 2015 incident. It happened in Mount Auburn as Tensing patrolled off-campus.
The revelation from Gibson about Tensing’s alleged statements came as he was describing the case to a courtroom packed with more than 40 potential jurors.
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.
Mathews objected after Gibson described Tensing's statement, and both sides met in chambers with Judge Megan Shanahan. Whatever was discussed was not addressed in the courtroom.
Tensing has been charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter. Murder is punishable by 15 years to life in prison. The maximum sentence for manslaughter is 11 years.