Former University of Cincinnati Officer Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charge

A former University of Cincinnati police officer pleaded not guilty to murder Thursday morning in the July 19 shooting death of Sam DuBose during a routine traffic stop in Mount Auburn.

The 25-year-old former officer also pleaded not guilty to secondary charge of voluntary manslaughter in the hearing that lasted just two minutes and 34 seconds.

The former officer turned himself in to authorities Wednesday afternoon at the Hamilton County Courthouse Downtown with his attorney about an hour after Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced a grand jury’s decision to charge him with murder .

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan E. Shanahan also set a $1 million bond for the former officer, at the request of Assistant Prosecutor Mark Piepmeier.

"My reaction to the bond is that it is not really reasonable, although the judge did make it a ten-percent bond which I think helps us out," Mathews said afterward. He had asked for a lesser amount, saying that the former officer had "an exemplary record" and a lifelong Hamilton County resident, WCPO TV reports.

If convicted, the officer faces at least 15 years in prison, and potentially a life sentence, on the murder charge. The voluntary manslaughter carries another possible 11 years.

Deters said he will seek life in prison for Tensing.

“[The former officer's] not doing well,” Mathews said. “He feels terrible about it. He didn’t become a police officer to go out and shoot anyone.”

The former officer could also face civil lawsuits.