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Demonstrations grow outside courthouse as jurors debate Ray Tensing's fate

Posted at 12:30 PM, Nov 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-11 13:32:20-05

CINCINNATI -- About 40 demonstrators stood outside the Hamilton County Courthouse Friday awaiting a verdict in Ray Tensing’s murder trial.

Deliberations continued after jurors told Judge Megan Shanahan at about noon that they could not reach a unanimous decision.

Defense attorney Carl Lewis said the community’s response is a major concern. 

“The concern is going to be, do these protesters get agitated even more, get upset,” Lewis said. “So now, the security measures that we’ve all been talking about are going to kick in because we’re not sure what the response is going to be from the community.

“I would just urge everyone to use caution. The system, a lot of people argue is not perfect, but it is our system. It is the best system of justice and let the prosecutors decide what they’re going to do.”

While some demonstrators called for peace, two held a poster that read “Ray Tension Dead (sic)" with an image of a police officer shooting a gun. 

Students from the University of Cincinnati were among those who stood outside the courthouse.

Read the latest on the jury's deliberations here.