Ray Tensing, Cop On Trial For Shooting Unarmed Black Man, Wore Confederate Flag T-Shirt Under Uniform
The University of Cincinnati cop who fatally shot Sam DuBose had a T-shirt with the Confederate flag on it under his uniform. Ray Tensing, who is white, is on trial for the shooting death of the unarmed 43-year-old black man, which occurred on July 19, 2015. Tensing is on trial for voluntary manslaughter and murder. He previously entered a plea of not guilty, according to the Inquisitr.
WCPO was in the courtroom when the evidence photo depicting the T-shirt was revealed on Friday. The T-shirt worn by the Tensing under his uniform shirt was black. In the center on the front of the shirt was the Confederate flag, surrounded by the words, “Great Smoky Mountains, 1934.”
#RayTensing was wearing a Confederate flag T-shirt when he shot, killed #SamDuBose https://t.co/qptbNPXhmA #TensingTrial pic.twitter.com/XCZSjPdlCu
— WCPO (@WCPO) November 4, 2016
According to WCPO, Tensing’s defense team had cross-examined two University of Cincinnati officers at length regarding the uniforms worn by UCPD cops. Defense lawyer Stew Mathews specifically asked officers Phillip Kidd and David Lindenschmidt whether the UCPD provided officers with undershirts. Both cops said although they were required to wear a black T-shirt, the university did not provide shirts to the officers.
When the photo of Tensing’s shirt was revealed by crime scene analyst Jimmy Nghia Duck Pham, there were no questions asked regarding the shirt itself. Instead, Pham elaborated on the wear and tear that appeared on Tensing’s uniform and shoes during a discussion as to whether it occurred on the day DuBose was shot.
DuBose was shot by Tensing after the UC officer pulled his 1998 Honda Accord over for having a missing front license plate.
Tensing alleges that during the traffic stop, he was dragged by DuBose’s car. Fox News reports that Tensing contends he was dragged by the car driven by victim Sam DuBose. A prosecution expert witness says Tensing’s body camera video of the shooting contradicts his argument. A use-of-force expert hired by the prosecution testified DuBose didn’t present a threat to Tensing at the time of the shooting. Forensic video analyst and FBI instructor Grant Fredericks testified the victim’s car was not moving when Tensing drew his weapon and aimed it at the head of DuBose.
“No, he had not been (dragged).”
Cincinnati.com reports that during the traffic stop, Tensing attempted to open DuBose’s car door, but the victim pulled it shut again and started the car. Tensing said he reached into the car to try to knock the key out of the ignition to turn the car off.
The crux of the case against Tensing relies upon the interpretation of the next 2.266 seconds of video prior to the fatal shooting of DuBose. The video shows Tensing’s hand entering the vehicle and reaching in front of the steering wheel. There is a reflection of Tensing’s legs on the door of DuBose’s car, which shows that Tensing is standing in place.
At 1.581 seconds before the shot is fired, DuBose’s car has not moved. The video then shows Tensing’s left hand entering the vehicle and moving to the victim’s seat belt and chest. At this point, the barrel of Tensing’s gun appears and the cop tells DuBose to stop. The car possibly makes a slight movement forward with 0.0178 seconds left before the fatal shot. A forward motion of the car is detected 0.015 seconds before the shot is heard.
The prosecution also offered testimony by their own use-of-force expert, who said DuBose was not a threat to the Tensing at the time he was shot.
According to Cincinnati.com, Tensing viewed the body camera footage prior to making his official statement of the events leading up to the shooting.
“I was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m getting dragged by this guy’s car, I don’t want to die today.'”
Although the Cincinnati Police Department does not allow officers to watch video of a particular incident prior to being interviewed by investigators, the union contract of University of Cincinnati police allows them to do so.
After the shooting, investigators searching DuBose’s car discovered a jar with marijuana in it, three bags of marijuana, and two bags of the substance in the victim’s pockets, testified Pham.
Fox News reports that Tensing was fired from the UCPD. If found guilty of the murder of DuBose, Tensing faces a sentence of life in prison.
[Featured Image by Carrie Cochran/AP Images]
