Ray Tensing, a former University of Cincinnati (UC) police officer, pleaded not guilty to murder on Thursday and is now being held in jail on $1 million bond, USA Today reported.

Tensing, 25, was indicted on murder charges for shooting and killing Samuel Dubose, a 43-year-old unarmed man who was driving a vehicle without a front license plate. In addition to the indictment, prosecutors made Tensing's body camera footage public, detailing the incident with Dubose head blurred.

Video below may be considered graphic.

The incident seemingly escalated when Tensing put his hand on the outer car door before reaching inside the open window. Dubose apparently responded by trying to drive away, at which point the camera is jostled around. Despite the confusion, it is clear that Tensing pulled his weapon and fired once at Dubose.

Tensing's attorney, Stew Matthews, told CNN the recently fired UC officer "feared for his life." In his official report, Tensing indicated the car was dragging him and that he was in danger of being run over. Footage from Tensing's body camera also shows him telling fellow officers the same.

The Guardian released an edited version the video to show the incident and then the points at which Tensing discusses what happened with other officers.

Mark O'Mara, attorney representing Dubose's family, told ABC News' "Nightline" it would have been uncharacteristic of Samuel to resist arrest.

"He has been arrested many times before - over 50 - never had a problem with an officer during any of those arrests," he said. "So why would all of a sudden he change his entire life philosophy and decide this is the officer I'm going to resist and run away from?"

In announcing the charges Wednesday, the day before Tensing turned himself in, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said the shooting was "without question a murder," The Washington Post reported.

"This is the most asinine act I've ever seen a police officer make," Deters said. "It was senseless. It's just horrible."