Samuel DuBose | University Police Traffic Stop, Two Mistrials and Federal Review
Hall of Records • Justice & Accountability • Disputed Death
Samuel DuBose | University Police Traffic Stop, Two Mistrials and Federal Review
Samuel DuBose, 43, was fatally shot by University of Cincinnati police officer Raymond Tensing during a traffic stop.
Record Summary
At a Glance
Samuel DuBose, 43, was fatally shot by University of Cincinnati police officer Raymond Tensing during a traffic stop.
Official Record
What Authorities and Courts Established
Tensing was prosecuted for murder and voluntary manslaughter. Two juries failed to reach a unanimous verdict, and state prosecutors later dismissed the charges rather than try the case a third time.
Public Dispute and Social Context
Why the Case Became a Flashpoint
Body-camera footage became a major part of the public record and intensified discussion about campus police authority, traffic-stop escalation and the use of deadly force.
Legal Outcome
Where the Record Stands
In 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI concluded their federal review without filing criminal civil-rights charges, citing the high burden of proving willfulness beyond a reasonable doubt.
Why This Record Matters
The 2012–2020 Racial-Justice Era
DuBose’s case shows how body-camera evidence can increase transparency while still leaving juries and prosecutors divided about criminal liability.
Sources
Review the Record
Featured image: CBS News / AP editorial image from a peaceful protest following Samuel DuBose’s death.
Image-use note: External editorial/contextual image. Confirm reuse rights and attribution before publication.
“Disputed Death” is a Hall of Records editorial classification used to preserve deaths that became significant public disputes about race, policing, self-defense, custody, institutional accountability or the legal system. It does not override a court verdict, medical-examiner ruling or prosecutorial finding. This entry separates official legal outcomes from family concerns, public controversy, historical interpretation and unresolved questions.
