Ray Tensing, the University of Cincinnati officer who shot and killed Sam DuBose during a routine traffic stop, will be charged with murder. As of Wednesday morning, a warrant has been issued for his arrest. DuBose was shot to death in Mount Auburn on July 19, with Tensing claiming that he shot DuBose in the face after fearing he would be run over by DuBose's moving car. However, Tensing's claims have been proven lies by his own body camera footage.
I will work to clear your name today. The truth about you are and why you were killed will shine through, Sam; it must. But regardless, your name is already cleared with the friends and family who matter. You lived. You loved. You hurt. You laughed. And so will I – so will we.
As noted by Daily Kos, virtually all studies regarding police brutality and related deaths indicate that "in nearly 99% of instances of police killing someone, even in the most egregious circumstances, 'something appropriate' doesn't actually happen and officers are let off." That's a staggering statistic, though not entirely surprising — particularly in the greater context of a renewed national criticism on policing tactics at all levels.
At her son's funeral, Sam DuBose's mother Audrey DuBose expressed a mournful promise to clear Sam's name of all fabricated wrongdoings in the written program provided to guests of Tuesday's services:
UPDATE 07/29/15 1:50 p.m.:
The aforementioned body cam footage (see above) has been made available to the public. Shortly after Wednesday's press conference announcing his murder charge, Tensing was formally arrested.
UPDATE 07/29/15 3:35 p.m.:
Tensing has officially been fired from the University of Cincinnati.
