CINCINNATI -- The more time the jury spends deliberating over the fate of former UC police officer Ray Tensing, the more some members of Sam DuBose’s family worry.
Judge Megan Shanahan sequestered the jury for a third night Friday after its members were once again unable to reach a verdict on either of the charges -- murder and voluntary manslaughter -- laid at Tensing’s feet. Although no one outside of the jury chamber can know exactly why they are still struggling, DuBose’s daughter Reagan Brooks said Thursday that the extended deliberation was caused for concern.
"I feel the worst they will give (Tensing) is manslaughter, because if they weren't, they wouldn't need this long to say he's guilty," Brooks said.
Terina Allen, DuBose’s sister, grew visibly emotional Friday evening when asked about the amount of time the jury had taken to reach a verdict. She, like Brooks and other members of DuBose’s family, was summoned to the courtroom Friday and then sent away without closure in the case, just as she had been Thursday.
"I thank God someone in this jury is fighting for this case, because I think someone is," Allen said Friday. "I think there’s somebody who is fighting for justice, and I think there is somebody who doesn’t care about justice. And I want that person to decide, if this was their sister, brother, father or mother, would they want someone to say, 'Oh, well, maybe he should be able to get executed because he might have been running from the police?'"
Allen said she wished she could speak to the juror or jurors who do not believe Tensing is guilty and help them understand the pain she and her family have felt since DuBose’s death. Since that’s not an option, she and her loved ones are leaning on one another for support.
"We’re going to keep praying," she said. "We’re gonna pray that God will intervene on whoever’s soul that is in there that’s working overtime to find Tensing not guilty."
DuBose’s fiancee, DaShonda Reid, said that although the extended deliberation is nerve-wracking, she remains optimistic that the final outcome of the trial will be the one she hopes for: a conviction for Tensing.
"We are going in the right direction," Reid said.
Every family member to whom WCPO spoke said they were grateful for the support of the protesters who have gathered outside the courtroom every day of the trial. They added, however, that those who truly want to honor Sam DuBose will not cause any problems once a verdict is read -- whether it’s the one they hope for or not.
