as seen on tv
Senator
This, of course, is the reason Sandra Bland served up for not putting out her cigarette, and not exiting her vehicle when asked to do so during a routine traffic stop.
I welcome the inclusion of the Department of Justice, FBI, and other qualified agencies to conduct an autopsy and review the circumstances of Ms. Bland’s arrest and death.
I’m extremely troubled by the death of anyone in a jail cell. But here are some things I’m also troubled by in this incident
· Let’s start with Ms. Bland’s claim that she has “epilepsy”. There does not appear to be any truth to this. But even if it were true, it’s not a reason to disobey an officer’s instructions during a traffic stop. You turn off the radio, stop texting, extinguish your cigarette, produce your license and registration, and exit your car if told to do so. This is the law in Texas, and most other states as well, despite the outrage from other traffic violators who feel such procedures are unwarranted. How many instances of “police officer shot by man after traffic stop” do I need to link to?
· The dashcam video is a matter of dispute. Ms. Bland’s family and their attorney say it was “edited” to conceal the officer abusing Ms. Bland. Experts say the “jitters” are not edits, but common signal variations with this sort of technology. The audio is uninterrupted, and contains no evidence of officer abuse. However, the refusal to accept dash cam video is bad news for anyone who thought that “vest cams” were going to provide positive proof what went on during an arrest.
· We do see Ms. Bland protesting “do you even care that you slammed my head into the ground? I can’t hear”. After the false epilepsy claim, I leave it to your own conclusion whether her head was “slammed” with no provocation, or whether she was forced to the ground because she was resisting arrest.
· Her social media presence/friends say she was “depressed”. Her immediate family says the exact opposite. She does have an extensive social media presence dedicated to criticizing police.
· It stretches credulity that a local police department would murder someone in custody over a traffic violation. This city has quite a high population of blacks, and continuous traffic violations – and resisting arrest charges – from all races. What would be the motive in killing an unarmed black woman already in custody? That said, this police department has been to court several times on investigation of disparate treatment of blacks during arrest/detention.
· Why was she still in jail, 3 days after her arrest? Did she reach out to a bondman or family for bail assistance? Wasn't she staying with friends or relatives in town? This seems extremely odd for a traffic violation and resisting arrest escalation. Usually when someone calms down, they get a quick trip to the judge, and are turned loose on “unsecured bail” (no cash needed – just a promise to return on your court date). Jails usually don’t want the expense of misdemeanor felons behind bars for little reason. Did her family refuse bail assistance? Did Sandra refuse to promise to return on the court date?
· I find it odd that there is a camera in the jail hallway, but not where it can view the cell doors. Who dreamed up THAT layout?
Ms. Bland should still be alive. She should have followed the officer’s instructions instead of making hysterical medical claims and calling him a “motherfucker” at the outset. Whatever transpired after that point is not completely certain.
My vote is “not a homicide”, but I reserve the right to amend this if new evidence comes to light.
I welcome the inclusion of the Department of Justice, FBI, and other qualified agencies to conduct an autopsy and review the circumstances of Ms. Bland’s arrest and death.