Former UC officer Tensing posts bond

UPDATE (6:45 p.m.): Former UCPD officer Ray Tensing has posted bond and been released after spending approximately 27 hours in jail, according to the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts' website.

Tensing was released at 6:35 p.m.Thursday, according to Maj.Charmaine McGuffey, Hamilton County court and jail services division commander.

During his stay in a protective unit, Tensing was under near-constant surveillance, which is typical for high-profile prisoners.

"He was on a suicide watch – it's called a security watch," McGuffey said. "He was checked every 10 minutes. The officer is literally sitting in the unit with him documenting every 10 minutes that he is within his sight and that he is OK."

Last night, the general population of the prison was not shown any news coverage about Tensing's indictment.

"I chose last night to show a movie," McGuffey said. "It is not a good idea to have our prisoners be upset, inflamed, agitated in any way, and if the news media is going to repeat and repeat and repeat something that is going to agitate and inflame the control and custody of this place – I had a concern about that so we showed a movie."

Court records indicate his father posted $100,085 to get his son out of jail.

Judge Megan Shanahan Thursday morning set bond at $1 million for the former officer who fatally shot Samuel DuBose during a traffic stop July 19.

Tensing is facing a murder charge. Shanahan allowed Tensing to post 10 percent of the bond.

ORIGINAL STORY: Ray Tensing stood in a courtroom Thursday morning, handcuffed and wearing a faded black-and-white jail uniform.

The now-former University of Cincinnati police officer, charged with murder in a fatal shooting his attorney says happened because he feared for his life, was appearing in court for the first time since being indicted. Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan set bond at $1 million.

Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Rick Gibson told Shanahan that he has never asked for less than a $1 million bond for a charge of murder.

Tensing, 25, who was fired after being indicted, faces a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison on the murder charge. Under state law, only aggravated murder, which involves "prior calculation and design," is a more serious charge and can bring the death penalty. Standing in front of Shanahan's bench, Tensing bowed his head and closed his eyes. He did not speak. His father watched from the back of the courtroom.

Tensing's attorney, Stew Mathews, told the judge his client was pleading not guilty. No trial date has been set. A defendant who is in custody has a right to a trial within 90 days, but that is typically waived. A scheduling hearing is set for Aug. 19. Tensing posted bond Thursday evening.

When Shanahan set the bond amount, family and supporters of Samuel DuBose, killed in the July 19 shooting, applauded and shouted their approval.

Afterwards, outside the courtroom, DuBose's family and friends demanded a conviction. They embraced. Some shed tears. For a few seconds, some in the courthouse hallway broke into chant of "No justice. No peace." Courthouse security quieted them immediately.

One woman called the shooting, which happened after Tensing pulled over DuBose's car because he didn't have a front license plate, "cold-blooded murder."

"If this man doesn't get convicted," said Kimberly Thomas, DuBose's friend, "they can shoot me in the head, too."

Mathews said he was going to try to get his client out of jail. Tensing posted 10 percent, $100,085, according to court records.

"He's feeling like he was run over by a train." Mathews said. "He's still in shock."

Mathews cautioned the public not to speculate.

"There are two sides to things," he said. "This case will be tried in a courtroom."

Mathews repeated his stance that Tensing, who had reached into DuBose's car window during the traffic stop, was knocked to the ground and dragged when he said DuBose tried to drive away.

"He thought he was going to die," Matthews told reporters. "He thought he'd be sucked under that car and run over."

The DuBose family attorney, Mark O'Mara, said no bond should have been set.

His reason: "This was murder without justification. Tensing was in a position of authority, and should be held to a higher standard."

Tensing's father, Paul Tensing, declined to comment after the hearing.