Judge denies motion to dismiss Ray Tensing case, jury selection begins

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The retrial of former UC police officer Ray Tensing officially gets underway Thursday, May 25. Before that happened, Judge Leslie Ghiz denied the defense motion to dismiss the case, saying it was not in the best interest to do so at this point.

Wednesday, Tensing's attorney filed a motion to have the case thrown out. Stew Mathews says Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters gave an interview in violation of a gag order. Matthews believed that interview was attempt to influence the jury.

Judge Ghiz was angry about Deters' interview. Assistant prosecutor Mark Piepmeier apologized. Judge Ghiz warned Deters office if it happened again, they'll be held in contempt.

With that ruling, jury selection is set to begin. 243 potential jurors are filling out questionnaires. They're brought into the courtroom by groups and given instructions. The questionnaires likely cover how much they know about the case, what they thought about the first trial and their thoughts about police.

Tensing is charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter for shooting Sam DuBose during a traffic stop in Mt. Auburn in July of 2015. The question the jury will try to answer is was the shooting a crime.

After the questionnaires are filled out, attorneys on both sides will be given time to review them. They're expected to start questioning and choosing jury members on Wednesday, May 31.

Read more in our special Tensing Trial section
Ray Tensing's first trial ended with a hung jury in November 2016. This time, different assistant prosecutors will try the case. Both sides have challenged each others video experts.

Ray Tensing's first trial ended with a hung jury in November 2016. This time, different assistant prosecutors will try the case. Both sides have challenged each others video experts.