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Black Lives Matter, AMOS Project, others plan to protest at FC Cincinnati game Wednesday

Event named 'Justice for Sam DuBose at UC'
Black Lives Matter will protest at FC Cincy game
Posted at 10:49 AM, Jun 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-28 12:13:59-04

CINCINNATI -- Black Lives Matter Cincinnati and several other groups plan to protest at the FC Cincinnati soccer game Wednesday at Nippert Stadium.

A Facebook event titled "Justice for Sam DuBose at UC" tells participants to meet at the University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music Wednesday at 6 p.m. The event is hosted by Cincinnati Socialist Students, Cincinnati Socialist Alternative, McMicken FreeSpace, Democratic Socialists of Metro Cincinnati, Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, Students for Survivors. Peaslee Neighborhood Center, BLVCK SEEDS and the AMOS Project in addition to Black Lives Matter Cincinnati.

"A grave injustice occurred in Cincinnati when the Tensing retrial resulted in a hung jury, yet again a police officer walks free for the murder of a black man," the event page says. "The City of Cincinnati, and more broadly the American criminal justice system, told us once again that you can murder a Black man, lie about what happened, wear a confederate flag shirt under your uniform, and still walk free."

The event page tells those who plan to attend to wear black and bring signs.

"We will show up at the FC Cincinnati game to tell both UC administration and the City of Cincinnati that we demand justice for Sam Dubose," the event says. "We must show and stand up for justice."

Former UCPD Officer Ray Tensing's second murder trial ended with another hung jury Friday. Tensing is charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter in the July 2015 fatal shooting of Sam DuBose during a traffic stop in Mount Auburn.

The prosecutor's office said Joe Deters plans to announce a decision during the week of July 10. Deters has until July 24 -- the scheduled date for the next hearing in the case -- to make a decision.

RELATED: Majority of jurors wanted to acquit Ray Tensing, defense says

The protest event description also names Officer Phil Kidd and David Lindenschmidt, two officers who arrived at the scene of the shooting, who originally said they saw Tensing being dragged by DuBose's car. The protests calls for Lindenschmidt and Kidd's firing; both are UCPD officers.

The Countdown to Conviction Coalition, made up of groups including Black Lives Matter Cincinnati and the AMOS Project, are planning protests for Wednesday to put pressure on city officials. It's unclear whether these protests are in addition to the FC Cincinnati protest Wednesday.

"My goal is to simply get a verdict for someone who is killed by the cops," said Brian Taylor of Black Lives Matter Cincinnati. "That message that's sent by that cop going to jail for a long time will do eons, mountains more than campaigning for legislation."

Mayor John Cranley said Friday the city is ready for protests and demonstrations.

"It's understandable and justified, and our police and everybody will make sure that people can also express their anger about what happened in court," Cranley said.

Sam DuBose's family said they were "outraged," but asked that only peaceful protest ensued.

"The family commends the prosecutors for their strong presentation in this case, but we are outraged that a second jury has now failed to convict Ray Tensing for the murder of our beloved Sam DuBose," the family said in a statement distributed by their attorney, Al Gerhardstein.

"We demand another retrial. We call on the community to join us in peaceful protest of this unjust result," the statement said.

RELATED: How did we end up with another hung jury? What happens next?

Sam DuBose’s family is also demanding that the Cincinnati police chief investigate the officer who testified that Ray Tensing’s shooting of DuBose could be justified.

In a complaint to Chief Eliot Isaac, attorney Al Gerhardstein said Sgt. Shannon Heine’s testimony “undermined the prosecution's case,” suggesting that Heine prevented the jury from convicting Tensing and contributed to a second hung jury.

Isaac responded briefly to a question about Heine during a Friday news conference.

“I am concerned about a number of things that occurred during the trial, not only Sgt. Heine’s testimony, but also some of the comments made during the closing statement," Isaac said. "The matter is under review, and I will have a little bit more later regarding that.”

For complete trial coverage, visit wcpo.com/TensingTrial.