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Ray Tensing's trial is all about the body-cam video of former officer shooting Sam DuBose

Tensing trial is all about the video
Tensing trial is all about the video
Tensing trial is all about the video
Tensing trial is all about the video
Tensing trial is all about the video
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CINCINNATI -- The question to be answered: Was Ray Tensing dragged by a car and fearing for his life, or was it murder?

Unwarranted, unjustified and intentional.

That's how the prosecution described the shooting of Sam DuBose during opening statements Tuesday.

Justified and an allowable use of force.

That's how the defense described Tensing's actions on that July 2015 day when the then 26-year-old University of  Cincinnati police officer shot and killed DuBose, 43.

Opening statements Tuesday focused on Tensing's body-cam video, which shows the fatal shooting at a traffic stop on a quiet street in Mount Auburn.

(Warning: The raw body cam video below contains graphic images)

 

Defense attorney Stew Mathews said the video proves Tensing feared for his life.

"You'll be able to see on the video how Tensing is going down. You'll be able to see on the video how close he came to actually being run over," Mathews said in court Tuesday. "You'll be able to see the video pointing at the sky. And you'll be able to see how he ended up and where he ended up on the ground after he was dragged by this car."

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said the truth is Tensing intentionally shot DuBose and then lied about it.

"You're going to see how he claims his left arm got tangled in the steering wheel. False. How the car sped up with him stuck. False. How he's being dragged along the pavement by his left arm. False," Deters said.

Testimony hasn't begun yet and you can see how much of an impact the case has on Tensing as he leaves the courtroom. You can't miss the emotional impact on DuBose's mother, Audrey DuBose, as the facts are discussed.

She and Sam's brother share strong opinions on how Tensing's trial should end.

"What I'm saying is my son was cold-blooded murdered. Yes, I still know that he was cold-blooded murdered. I saw it with my own eyes," Audrey DuBose said.

Wednesday's first witness will identify Tensing's body cam and the video will be introduced into evidence.

A detailed analysis of it comes later in the week.

Deters says the defense won't call a video expert in the case, leaving the state's expert to break down the video.

The trial is expected to last into next week.

SEE WCPO's complete coverage of the Tensing trial at WCPO.com/TensingTrial