Deliberations Continue in Ray Tensing Trial

On the second day of deliberations in the trial of former University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tensing, for the murder of Samuel DuBose during a routine (yet unnecessary) traffic stop, tensions outside the Hamilton County Courthouse were high. Protesters in the Countdown for Conviction Coalition grew in number as the day passed, and the visible presence of law enforcement grew as well.

With chants of "Enough is enough, put Ray Tensing in cuffs" and "No justice, no peace" and "I. Am. Sam. DuBose", the protesters garnered favorable attention from most passersby. One woman brought donuts to sustain us. Jeff Ruby, a local restaurateur, came down to the sidewalk in a suit, a lit cigar, and said, "It doesn't look good to me". He then quoted Dr. King as he asked for peace. The crowd didn't react favorably, with shouts of "Hire black people!" and "You just want us to buy your steaks!"

Around 12:30pm, a rumor started that the jury had reached a verdict, but that it wasn't being announced until 5pm, when the people started leaving for home. Of course this rumor caused dismay for the Countdown to Conviction Coalition because the it seemed to signal a "not guilty" verdict, but no one reacted. Disinformation is the name of the game, and as it turned out, this rumor was false. The jury was sequestered for another night and will reconvene today at 8am.

(Article by Lessa Leigh)

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