TX - Sandra Bland, 28, found dead in jail cell, Waller County, 13 July 2015 #1

[facetious]

Nothing about her mugshot seems off to me.

yeah-- like I said, it might just be the power of suggestion.. the whole situation in itself just feels so bleak.

Also :

[video=twitter;623928776569675776]https://twitter.com/tlangford/status/623928776569675776[/video]

 

[popsicle]

If it were pulled straight out, it would be thicker, and could work. IIRC didnt Robin Williams hang himself from a door knob? I have read stories, where inmates hung them self from the bars, just sat down...

I still can't get over them being allowed the plastic bags. JMHO

You can even twist it a little.

 

[Dénouement]

So I just saw Ed Lavandera on CNN with copy of her intake report. She reportedly tried to commit suicide in 2014. So her family should take that into account when they say she would 'never' do that.

Is the family accusing the jailers of hanging her themselves?

When would a health evaluation such as this be taken? Is it a routine procedure ie every person that gets 'booked' are they subjected to the same questions?


@arkansasmim Pulled out from where? Are they given a whole box of bags?

 

[arkansasmimi]

We are unable to hear the Officer calling in her tag number... But when he makes the stop, he goes to the passenger side to get her paperwork/DL... We cant really hear or see much ( or i couldnt) he is there for a few minutes while she gets it.

Then he goes back to his patrol car, few min later is when he goes back this time going to the Drivers side. He asks her is she is ok...

Now, when he did the tag check and the DL check he most likely found out about her prior record of DUI and marijuana use so that could possibly have had something to do with some. .. wonder when they will have tox back?
Charges and dates and so forth at link.

Snip....
Updated at 2:42 PM CDT on Friday, Jul 17, 2015

Sandra Bland – who was vocal on the issue of police encounters with African Americans in the months leading up to her death in a jail cell in Texas -- had at least 10 encounters herself with police in both Illinois and Texas in past years.
And NBC5 Investigates has found that – at the time of her death last Friday -- she still owed a total of $7,579.00 in court fines resulting from five traffic stops in various Chicago suburbs (including a DUI), and she had been cited several times for her failure to pay those fines.
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/investiga...evious-Encounters-With-Police-316025661.html#


snip>
ccording to the Harris County clerk’s office in Houston, Bland was convicted of possession of marijuana in 2010, a misdemeanor. According to court documents, Bland was assessed a penalty of 30 days in the Harris County Jail and given four days of credit. She was charged court costs of $373.

Prior to 2014, her Illinois driver's license had been suspended three times because she had no insurance, according to court records. In 2014, she was stopped on suspicion of DUI and was given supervision in Illinois. Records show her license was due to be suspended July 31 for lack of insurance. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...ail-death-met-0717-20150717-story.html#page=2

 

[nomoresorrow]

No, it's LE who actually should have taken any reported admissions to depression/suicide attempt(s) into account when they detained her in a cell for three days - a cell she should NEVER have been in in the first place. So, while LE may not be directly responsible for Sandra Bland's death (i.e., putting the plastic bag around her neck), they certainly are guilty of wrongfully incarcerating her and knowingly providing her with a mechanism by which she could harm herself. And it's going to cost them big and rightfully so. So, while the same posters continually defend the despicable actions of LEO after LEO, case-after-case, it's costing cities/states across this country big $$. Maybe when cities/states nearly go broke from civil lawsuit settlements, "some" will finally say enough and realize that the cost for them to continue their "views" is too high. MO ~

 

[popsicle]

When would a health evaluation such as this be taken? Is it a routine procedure ie every person that gets 'booked' are they subjected to the same questions?


@arkansasmim Pulled out from where? Are they given a whole box of bags?

At some point during the booking process typically.

 

[katydid23]

When would a health evaluation such as this be taken? Is it a routine procedure ie every person that gets 'booked' are they subjected to the same questions?


@arkansasmim Pulled out from where? Are they given a whole box of bags?

It is a standard questionnaire. Everyone is asked if they are suicidal. She probably should have been on suicide watch.

 

[katydid23]

No, it's LE who actually should have taken any reported admissions to depression/suicide attempt(s) into account when they detained her in a cell for three days - a cell she should NEVER have been in in the first place. So, while LE may not be directly responsible for Sandra Bland's death (i.e., putting the plastic bag around her neck), they certainly are guilty of wrongfully incarcerating her and knowingly providing her with a mechanism by which she could harm herself. And it's going to cost them big and rightfully so. So, while the same posters continually defend the despicable actions of LEO after LEO, case-after-case, it's costing cities/states across this country big $$. Maybe when cities/states nearly go broke from civil lawsuit settlements, "some" will finally say enough and realize that the cost for them to continue their "views" is too high. MO ~

So it is LE's fault she hung herself? They were supposed to prevent that?

 

[Woodland]

Sure hope this thread stays open - the newly added hostility towards Ms Bland and her family may provoke/agitate some people.

 

[katydid23]

Hostility towards Bland and her family? Where do you see that?

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I am very sad to know this young woman took her life and I do believe the death will be ruled a suicide. Its shocking to know they let them have plastic bags in their jail cell although jail can be much more relaxed atmosphere than prisons. Plastic bags when they are twisted become very strong.

But I will admit I don't understand why she became combative toward the officer right from the start. I don't think it was a big issue when he asked her to put her cigarette out. I use to be a smoker myself but I always knew others didn't like to smell the cigarette or for the smoke to get in their face so I was very mindful not to aggravate others who didn't smoke. When he first pulled her over he seemed to be very respectful toward her. I think his demeanor changed when she became so argumentative.

She had to know she didn't put her turn signal on to change lanes and that is why he initially stopped her. Changing lanes back and forth without even signaling has caused many deadly wrecks. It is one the top reasons for wrecks. So she knew he was going to ticket her although I think if she had not become so irate quickly he would have probably given her a warning and sent her on her way. So I don't understand why she just didn't sit there, get her ticket, so she could be on her way.

I am not that anti-police. I don't immediately get an attitude when they stop me or when I have to go through a long road block they have setup checking licenses and insurance. Sometimes they have asked me about my grandchildren that have been in the car with me, asking me their name (first) and where they go to school. I tell them, its just casual conversation/idle chitchat. I have only gotten one ticket in all my years of driving and that was for running a yellow light. I knew why he stopped me. He was very nice, he told me to have a nice day, and to be safe. I didn't take it as passive aggressive.

I think most police officers both men and women are very good people who want to serve their communities. Of course there are some who shouldn't be police officers but for the most part I think they are in a minority.

I do fault this officer....not for starting this because he wasn't the one with the bad attitude at first imo but he should have handled it much better instead of letting it rise to the level it did. He let his aggravation and anger get the best of him especially when she continued to not cooperate in any way. That is not the way police officers are trained and they are trained to react calmly even in situations that may be stressful.

They will probably suspend him with a few days off unless the video becomes clearer and it shows she did kick him like he said.

I am glad they are going to do a thorough investigation.

IMO

 

[facetious]

Sure hope this thread stays open - the newly added hostility towards Ms Bland and her family may provoke/agitate some people.

i've been trying to be very wary because I notice that in internet spaces like this hostility, or just...comments that strike me wrong (and tbh, it could just be me-- because a lot of things do rub me wrong) do come out eventually. offhanded sarcastic remarks (I can highlight the one about sobriety a few pages back that I'm glad was ignored...), statements that are... well... victim-blaming, in ways... all about a dead young woman, and if it doesn't provoke or agitate it does make one feel real uncomfortable and well... sad. or it's just sensitivity. I'm saying this as a Teeeen, so maybe there's that aspect to it.

 

[arkansasmimi]

When would a health evaluation such as this be taken? Is it a routine procedure ie every person that gets 'booked' are they subjected to the same questions?


@arkansasmim Pulled out from where? Are they given a whole box of bags?

Sorry, meaning stretched out, ( think of an empty bread sack, could as someone else said twist the bag and it would kinda look like a rope) sorry not good at explaining. I have no idea how many they are given, I am gonna assume one was just in the trash can.

In this CNN Video, it shows the cell and what type trash bag/liner used and the reporter alludes to where she hung herself from. I dont know if it is or if its just for dramatic effect. ** I took some ss from the video

http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/21/us/texas-sandra-bland-arrest/

 

[nomoresorrow]

Yeah, actually there are pesky ole' legal standards that LE must follow and adhere to when they take property of a human being and jail them - I know it's difficult for some to understand the concept of there being rules and restrictions for LEO, especially it seems if/when an individual is black and/or has ANY prior interactions with LE...

Standard 23-5.4 Self-harm and suicide prevention


(a) Correctional officials should implement procedures to identify prisoners at risk for suicide and to intervene to prevent suicides.

(b) When the initial screening pursuant to Standard 23-2.1 or any subsequent observation identifies a risk of suicide, the prisoner should be placed in a safe setting and promptly evaluated by a qualified mental health professional, who should determine the degree of risk, appropriate level of ongoing supervision, and appropriate course of mental health treatment.

(c) Instead of isolating prisoners at risk of suicide, correctional authorities should ordinarily place such prisoners in housing areas that are designed to be suicide resistant and that allow staff a full and unobstructed view of the prisoners inside. A suicidal prisoner’s clothing should be removed only if an individualized assessment finds such removal necessary, and the affected prisoner should be provided with suicide resistant garments that are sanitary, adequately modest, and appropriate for the temperature. Physical restraints should be used only as a last resort and their use should comply with the limitations in Standard 23-5.9.

(d) At a minimum, prisoners presenting a serious risk of suicide should be housed within sight of staff and observed by staff, face-to-face, at irregular intervals of no more than 15 minutes. Prisoners currently threatening or attempting suicide should be under continuous staff observation. Suicide observation should be documented, and prisoners under suicide observation should be evaluated by a qualified mental health professional prior to being removed from observation.

(e) Correctional authorities should minimize the risk of suicide in housing areas and other spaces where prisoners may be unobserved by staff by eliminating, to the extent practicable, physical features that facilitate suicide attempts.

(f) When staff observe a prisoner who appears to have attempted or committed suicide, they should administer appropriate first-aid measures immediately until medical personnel arrive and assess the situation. Cut-down tools should be readily available to security personnel, who should be trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cut-down techniques, and emergency notification procedures.

http://www.americanbar.org/publications/criminal_justice_section_archive/crimjust_standards_treatmentprisoners.html

MO ~

 

[katydid23]

I think victim blaming can go two ways. In this case, the family has been promoting their cause, which is essentially claiming that a cop or a jailer killed their family member and covered it up. They are riling up the public to come and protest and to call for 'justice' for their murder victim.

If it turns out that she did, in fact, hang herself, then is she still the victim? Or can the ones who have been publicly accused of murder be seen as victims here?

I can agree that she should have been under suicide watch. And maybe they should not have plastic liners in their garbage cans...although that has its own problems...
th
I can agree that the cop had an ego and an attitude and did not de-escalate the situation. But I think the blame goes both ways. JMO

 

[Woodland]

Imo, Ms Bland cooperated in every way until asked to put her cigarette out - something the officer had no business asking her to do. Then he ordered out of her car for that very reason - something the officer had no business doing. Then she became combative.

To say or suggest she was uncooperative from the start is contrary to the video - she handed over her paperwork as requested and ignored his first bait to argue with him.

Since he only has one year as an officer - or so I read in one article - now would be the time the assess his usefulness in the future.

 

[arkansasmimi]

Yes, which might've been from her crying, etc. There are many non-mugshot photos of her smiling and looking straight at the camera w/ her head straight but we can see up her nose in the image... Maybe it's the power of suggestion, but so many things in this seem "off" all around. Here are other mugshots from Waller County for comparison: http://mugshots.com/US-Counties/Texas/Waller-County-TX/

Exactly. Some people amaze me at the things they can come up with. Think you have heard or seen most all til follow another case. . Here is Sandra Bland from the link on first comment this thread Here is one from 2013, in IL that shows she was 6 foot tall.

 

[nomoresorrow]

(BBM)

I am very sad to know this young woman took her life and I do believe the death will be ruled a suicide. Its shocking to know they let them have plastic bags in their jail cell although jail can be much more relaxed atmosphere than prisons. Plastic bags when they are twisted become very strong.

But I will admit I don't understand why she became combative toward the officer right from the start. I don't think it was a big issue when he asked her to put her cigarette out. I use to be a smoker myself but I always knew others didn't like to smell the cigarette or for the smoke to get in their face so I was very mindful not to aggravate others who didn't smoke. When he first pulled her over he seemed to be very respectful toward her. I think his demeanor changed when she became so argumentative.

She had to know she didn't put her turn signal on to change lanes and that is why he initially stopped her. Changing lanes back and forth without even signaling has caused many deadly wrecks. It is one the top reasons for wrecks. So she knew he was going to ticket her although I think if she had not become so irate quickly he would have probably given her a warning and sent her on her way. So I don't understand why she just didn't sit there, get her ticket, so she could be on her way.

I am not that anti-police. I don't immediately get an attitude when they stop me or when I have to go through a long road block they have setup checking licenses and insurance. Sometimes they have asked me about my grandchildren that have been in the car with me, asking me their name (first) and where they go to school. I tell them, its just casual conversation/idle chitchat. I have only gotten one ticket in all my years of driving and that was for running a yellow light. I knew why he stopped me. He was very nice, he told me to have a nice day, and to be safe. I didn't take it as passive aggressive.

I think most police officers both men and women are very good people who want to serve their communities. Of course there are some who shouldn't be police officers but for the most part I think they are in a minority.

I do fault this officer....not for starting this because he wasn't the one with the bad attitude at first imo but he should have handled it much better instead of letting it rise to the level it did. He let his aggravation and anger get the best of him especially when she continued to not cooperate in any way. That is not the way police officers are trained and they are trained to react calmly even in situations that may be stressful.

They will probably suspend him with a few days off unless the video becomes clearer and it shows she did kick him like he said.

I am glad they are going to do a thorough investigation.

IMO

I agree ^^ However, when the bad ones are far too often protected by their own, whether vocally or an unwillingness to speak out (i.e., silence), they become part of the problem. MO ~

 

[arkansasmimi]

yeah-- like I said, it might just be the power of suggestion.. the whole situation in itself just feels so bleak.

Also :

[video=twitter;623928776569675776]https://twitter.com/tlangford/status/623928776569675776[/video]

I would think that would be common, due to its an ongoing investigation. JMHO

 

[pepelepolecat]

So it is LE's fault she hung herself? They were supposed to prevent that?

(bbm)

Well ... yes.

Once a person is in custody, it is the state's job to protect them -- including those who are a threat to themselves.