Ohio Cop Allegedly Wore Confederate Flag Shirt When He Fatally Shot Unarmed Black Man
The ex-University of Cincinnati cop allegedly wore the T-shirt under uniform.
— -- A former University of Cincinnati police officer was allegedly wearing a T-shirt with an image of the Confederate flag under his uniform when he shot and killed an unarmed black man, according to The Associated Press and a report by ABC Cincinnati affiliate WCPO on evidence presented today at the former cop's trial.
The fatal shooting happened in July 2015 after Ray Tensing, then a University of Cincinnati police officer, pulled driver Sam DuBose over near the university campus.
Tensing, 26, lost his job after DuBose's shooting death and was charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter. He has pleaded not guilty.
A photo of a black T-shirt emblazoned with an image of the Confederate flag and the words "Great Smoky Mountains" was presented by the prosecution at Tensing's trial today during testimony by a crime scene technician, the Associated Press and WCPO reported. The T-shirt also bore the year "1934," according the WCPO.
WCPO said there wasn't any further questioning about the shirt in court, but the affiliate added that when the defense cross-examined two police officers and asked what type of undershirts officers are required to wear, they said a black T-shirt.
Tensing's trial began earlier this week with prosecutors telling the jury in their opening statement, "You will hear from Tensing's own mouth that he intentionally shot Mr. DuBose in the head." Prosecutors called the shooting "completely intentional" and "truly unjustified."
Tensing's defense attorneys said during opening statements that Tensing's actions were "justified." They said Tensing was close to being run over by DuBose's car and that although DuBose didn't have a gun, he turned his car into a weapon. The defense said Tensing instinctively drew his weapon and fired "to stop the threat" and save his own life.
The murder charge carries the possibility of life in prison. The voluntary manslaughter charge carries the possibility of 3 to 11 years in prison.