CINCINNATI -- Eight of the potential jurors on the Ray Tensing retrial were dismissed by early Monday afternoon, including one who wrote that he believed Tensing "should receive a medal."
Tensing, a former University of Cincinnati police officer, is facing charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter in the death of Sam DuBose. Tensing shot DuBose, who did not have a gun, during a traffic stop for a missing front license plate in July 2015.
Juror No. 4 wrote in his questionnaire that he believed some of his opinions would prevent him from being a fair juror on the case. During jury selection Monday, he expanded on his response:
"I have a severe and passionate hatred of drug dealers," he said. "It's what's ruining this city, it's what's ruining this nation and the gentleman might have been stopped for a traffic stop, but he was not just a traffic stop, he wasn't just missing his license plate, he was a drug dealer. And I think that our police today are hamstringed by the liberal media and the liberal press, and I think police are fighting an uphill battle all the way."
Police did find some marijuana in DuBose's car, though they did not say if he had been selling it.
Juror No. 4 also admitted his "medal" comment was pretty strong language.
"Yes, I thought that was very poor taste," he said.
He was dismissed.
RELATED: Jury selection in Ray Tensing's retrial continues
Sitting right next to Juror No. 4, Juror No. 3 had the opposite view. He complained about police stopping him without valid release, saying he "always felt it was racial."
He wrote on his questionnaire that he already believed Tensing was guilty of murder.
"Bad cops outnumber good cops," he said.
Juror No. 3 said he believed he could be a fair and impartial juror. He was also dismissed.
For complete trial coverage, visit wcpo.com/TensingTrial.
