Ray Tensing, who was indicted on murder and voluntary manslaughter charges in the shooting death of Samuel DuBose, feared for his life during the incident, according to his attorney.
“He’s been crucified since this thing first happened by the whole community without knowing what the evidence is,” Stewart Matthews told ABC News.
Tensing faces life in prison if convicted. He was fired by his department Wednesday when the indictment was announced.
The incident began during a routine traffic stop in which Tensing pulled over Dubose for missing a front license plate on his car.
According to Tensing, Dubose refused to turn over a license and instead handed him an open alcohol bottle.
Tensing’s body cam shows that the officer asked Dubose what the bottle was and only then did Dubose produce it.
Tensing further claimed that he was knocked to the ground in the struggle. Tensing then shot Dubose in the head as Dubose was driving away, and the car rolled to a crash moments later.
Two videos have seen been released in relation to the incident. One is from Tensing’s body camera, and the other is from the body camera of the second officer who arrived on the scene. The second video shows Tensing appearing to be close to the ground following teh shooting.
H eventually gets up and runs after Dubose’s car. This is when a second officer appears on camera.
“He felt like his life was in jeopardy and that’s why the shot was fired,” Matthews said.
Matthews also said Tensing cried when he learned of the indictment.