Ray Tensing, a University of Cincinnati police officer will appear in court Thursday for the homicide of Samuel Dubose, 43, who he shot on July 19 during an argument after he had pulled him over for not having a license plate on his car.

"It was a senseless, asinine shooting. He (Tensing) wasn't dealing with someone who was wanted for murder, OK? He was dealing with someone who didn't have a front license plate," said Hamilton County prosecutor Joseph Deters to whom the charges were presented Wednesday.

Tensing alleged he feared Dubose was about to hit him and shot him in self defense.

Deters, however, rejected Tensing's claims saying at no point did Dubose tried to hit him.

Tensing who was expelled from the police force after the incident is expected to appear in court Thursday for his first hearing.

If found guilty, he could be sentenced to life imprisonment.

This is the latest in a series of deadly encounters between local U.S. police officers and the African-American community that have raised racial tensions in the country