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The jury in the case of former University of Cincinnati Police Officer Ray Tensing, who shot and killed an unarmed man in July of 2015, says it can't reach a unanimous verdict on murder and manslaughter charges. Tensing had initially stopped Sam DuBose for a missing front license plate; moments later, he shot him at point-blank range.

Judge Megan Shanahan declared a mistrial Saturday morning, accepting the jury's deadlock status several days after deliberations began. She had previously encouraged the jury to work toward a verdict, suggesting there was enough evidence to decide the case.

 of the shooting created an uproar after it showed that Tensing, who is white, engaged in a brief struggle with DuBose before firing his pistol into the car. Seconds before, the two had been discussing whether DuBose had a license, and whether he should take off his seatbelt.


 that Tensing had been indicted for murder less than two weeks after the fatal traffic stop, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters called the officer's actions "asinine" and "totally unwarranted."


Deters said, "I've been doing this for over 30 years. This is the most asinine act I've ever seen a police officer make."

Jurors in the case had begun their deliberations Wednesday — but they had made several requests for transcripts and advice. Tensing was facing possible punishment of up to life in prison on the murder charge and a maximum 11-year sentence on the manslaughter charge.


On Friday, the third day of deliberations, 

 one of the final exchanges between Shanahan and the jury:


Crime, Law and Justice

Judge Megan Shanahan accepted the deadlock Saturday morning, several days after deliberations began. Former officer Ray Tensing had claimed he was being dragged by the car.

Mistrial: Cincinnati jury deadlocks over police officer's killing of black motorist

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