Ray Tensing Released: Officer Charged In Sam DuBose Case Out On Bond

Ray Tensing -- the former University of Cincinnati police officer facing murder and voluntary manslaughter charges in relation to the July 19 death of unarmed motorist Sam DuBose -- was released from jail on bond Thursday night, reported WCPO in Cincinnati. Tensing posted about $100,000 or 10 percent of his $1 million bond.

The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office announced Wednesday that a grand jury decided in favor of indicting the officer, who was fired, after footage from a body camera showed the fatal shooting. Tensing, who is white, had said he was dragged by DuBose's car and responded by shooting the 43-year-old man. But the video appeared to show that DuBose -- who was African-American -- was calm and that events perhaps played out differently than the former officer's account.

Tensing pleaded not guilty to his charges in a hearing Thursday morning, and his bond was set at $1 million. When the bond was announced, people in the courtroom cheered, before Judge Megan Shanahan quickly stopped it by saying, "This is a courtroom," according to USA Today. Tensing needed to pay 10 percent of the total amount in cash or property in order to be released. Hours later, he was out on bond. The 25-year-old was on suicide watch during his time in jail and left from a side door at about 6:45 p.m. ET, according to WCPO.

"I think he's relieved," said Maj. Charmaine McGuffey of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department concerning Tensing's release, WCPO reported.

It is not immediately clear how Tensing paid the $100,000 bond. His attorney previously told WLWT in Cincinnati that family members were working to come up with the bond. Stewart Mathews, Tensing's lawyer, also said he had received offers to help pay the bond, but was not sure if they would be used.

"Ever since the bond was set, I've received calls from around the country from people wanting to contribute to it," Mathews said, according to WCPO. "I think people feel like he's getting railroaded here in Cincinnati. You'd have to be blind not to see that.”

Two other University of Cincinnati officers involved in the fatal shooting were placed on administrative leave on Thursday. The fatal shooting of DuBose is just the latest death involving an unarmed black man and police. The deaths have sparked a national debate and protests following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.