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

[Cubby]

Here's a little insight into why she may have been depressed: She had been trying to call the man she had moved in with and the calls kept going to voice mail. She made the statement that "He said he'd be here in an hour and it's been days".

http://news.yahoo.com/sandra-bland-...w-inmate-160504075--abc-news-topstories.html#

Thank you. An hour and days is a big difference. JMO, but just because she was never diagnosed with any kind of depression or mental illness doesn't mean she didn't have it. The ups and downs, self medicating, history......... all point to depression. One thing I can say about depression is for those who suffer from it and remain untreated situations can often become magnified. I think in this case she was just at a point where her situation was magnified and she felt alone and far from her family/home and that was enough to push her.

I wonder if she was romantically involved with this person she moved so far to be with.......

Very, very sad, but I don't know that this could have been predicted, other than questioning the discrepancies in her reports of being depressed/suicidal and not.

 

[kimlynn]

Sometimes it's like they don't even think or make an effort to do anything else. A kid on a street car ALONE and with a knife gets shot eight times and then tasered? What kind of response is that?

And hearing about family that call for help with their mentally ill members and the end result is death. I can only imagine the guilt. IMO

 

[Rocky Road]

Unfortunately, the two often go together and are used together. I think this often depends on the individuals involved and any other drug use or mental illness. As a medical professional, I tend to dislike dealing with either.

 

[arkansasmimi]

Why can't we all just get along? LOL

Some people see things differently than others. So what. Learn from each other. I can honestly say I have learned a lot from folks on here that I have disagreed with over the past couple years.

I agree! LOL I agree with someone on this thread that we don't fully agree on another, but I do respect everyone opinion. Don't care for incorrect info repeated over and over til someone unknowing believes that someone's opinion is a proven fact. Snowballs sometimes.

 

[bluesneakers]

And hearing about family that call for help with their mentally ill members and the end result is death. I can only imagine the guilt. IMO

I know.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

That is debatable. What's not debatable is she was combative. That never ends well when dealing with LEO. While everyone is focused on his behavior and placing blame on him I find it curious not many question her behavior.

In no way do I condone LEO misconduct but it must be said that there is a right way and a wrong way to respond if you feel you are being mistreated.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

State Trooper Brian Encinia: Hello ma’am. We’re the Texas Highway Patrol and the reason for your stop is because you failed to signal the lane change. Do you have your driver’s license and registration with you? What’s wrong? How long have you been in Texas?

Sandra Bland: Got here just today.

Encinia: OK. Do you have a driver's license? (Pause) OK, where you headed to now? Give me a few minutes.

(Bland inaudible)

(Encinia returns to his car for several minutes, then approaches Bland again.)

Encinia: OK, ma'am. (Pause.) You OK?

Bland: I'm waiting on you. This is your job. I'm waiting on you. When're you going to let me go?

Encinia: I don't know, you seem very really irritated.

Bland: I am. I really am. I feel like it's crap what I'm getting a ticket for. I was getting out of your way. You were speeding up, tailing me, so I move over and you stop me. So yeah, I am a little irritated, but that doesn’t stop you from giving me a ticket, so [inaudible] ticket.

Encinia: Are you done?

Bland: You asked me what was wrong, now I told you.

Encinia: OK.

Bland: So now I'm done, yeah.

Encinia: You mind putting out your cigarette, please? If you don't mind?

Bland: I'm in my car, why do I have to put out my cigarette?

Encinia: Well you can step on out now.

Bland: I don’t have to step out of my car.

Encinia: Step out of the car.

Bland: Why am I ...

Encinia: Step out of the car!

Bland: No, you don’t have the right. No, you don't have the right.

Encinia: Step out of the car.

Bland: You do not have the right. You do not have the right to do this.

Encinia: I do have the right, now step out or I will remove you.

Bland: I refuse to talk to you other than to identify myself. [crosstalk] I am getting removed for a failure to signal?

Encinia: Step out or I will remove you. I’m giving you a lawful order.

Get out of the car now or I’m going to remove you.

Bland: And I’m calling my lawyer.

Encinia: I’m going to yank you out of here. (Reaches inside the car.)

Bland: OK, you’re going to yank me out of my car? OK, alright.

Encinia (calling in backup): 2547.

Bland: Let’s do this.

Encinia: Yeah, we’re going to. (Grabs for Bland.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sandra-bland-arrest-transcript_55b03a88e4b0a9b94853b1f1


What is wrong with Sandra's behaviour up till this point? She's not happy about getting a ticket, she explains herself and Encinia doesn't like it. Asking her to put out her cigarette is a control issue on his part, to show authority, she was going to suffer the humiliation of being dragged out of the car, handcuffed and whatever else happened off camera because he didn't like her manner??!!!!

I can't believe he hasn't had people give him excuses or answer him in a curt manner before. Encinia shouldn't be in the job.

JMO

 

[katydid23]

Respect breeds respect. Being an a-hole will return the same. It doesn't matter if you wear a badge or not.

EXACTLY. And he started out polite and respectful. She was the one with the attitude. Respect breeds respect, just as you said. And she showed him NONE.

 

[Curious Guy]

State Trooper Brian Encinia: Hello ma’am. We’re the Texas Highway Patrol and the reason for your stop is because you failed to signal the lane change. Do you have your driver’s license and registration with you? What’s wrong? How long have you been in Texas?

Sandra Bland: Got here just today.

Encinia: OK. Do you have a driver's license? (Pause) OK, where you headed to now? Give me a few minutes.

(Bland inaudible)

(Encinia returns to his car for several minutes, then approaches Bland again.)

Encinia: OK, ma'am. (Pause.) You OK?

Bland: I'm waiting on you. This is your job. I'm waiting on you. When're you going to let me go?

Encinia: I don't know, you seem very really irritated.

Bland: I am. I really am. I feel like it's crap what I'm getting a ticket for. I was getting out of your way. You were speeding up, tailing me, so I move over and you stop me. So yeah, I am a little irritated, but that doesn’t stop you from giving me a ticket, so [inaudible] ticket.

Encinia: Are you done?

Bland: You asked me what was wrong, now I told you.

Encinia: OK.

Bland: So now I'm done, yeah.

Encinia: You mind putting out your cigarette, please? If you don't mind?

Bland: I'm in my car, why do I have to put out my cigarette?

Encinia: Well you can step on out now.

Bland: I don’t have to step out of my car.

Encinia: Step out of the car.

Bland: Why am I ...

Encinia: Step out of the car!

Bland: No, you don’t have the right. No, you don't have the right.

Encinia: Step out of the car.

Bland: You do not have the right. You do not have the right to do this.

Encinia: I do have the right, now step out or I will remove you.

Bland: I refuse to talk to you other than to identify myself. [crosstalk] I am getting removed for a failure to signal?

Encinia: Step out or I will remove you. I’m giving you a lawful order.

Get out of the car now or I’m going to remove you.

Bland: And I’m calling my lawyer.

Encinia: I’m going to yank you out of here. (Reaches inside the car.)

Bland: OK, you’re going to yank me out of my car? OK, alright.

Encinia (calling in backup): 2547.

Bland: Let’s do this.

Encinia: Yeah, we’re going to. (Grabs for Bland.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sandra-bland-arrest-transcript_55b03a88e4b0a9b94853b1f1


What is wrong with Sandra's behaviour up till this point? She's not happy about getting a ticket, she explains herself and Encinia doesn't like it. Asking her to put out her cigarette is a control issue on his part, to show authority, she was going to suffer the humiliation of being dragged out of the car, handcuffed and whatever else happened off camera because he didn't like her manner??!!!!

I can't believe he hasn't had people give him excuses or answer him in a curt manner before. Encinia shouldn't be in the job.

JMO

Your point? I agreed he was less than professional. So you think she acted appropriately? Agree to disagree


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[popsicle]

Having never been arrested or in jail, I can only assume that they would get the inmates their needed medications if they didn't have someone to bring them to the jail. We know they have a nurse there, as she was called per the Autopsy Report.

I know in the hospital they bring meds in a little cup like seen on the table in this CNN video. I was thinking that may have been her medication, but unknown. JMHO View attachment 78708 Under the video titled "Inmate: Sandra Bland emotional, cried often" http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/23/us/sandra-bland-arrest-death-main/

A DR won't just write an order for her to have some medication without prove that she is actually on the meds/has the medical condition. She refused medical treatment when they offered it to her.

 

[Rocky Road]

Actually, pot varies in the length of time it can be detected. That depends on the concentration of THC in the marijuana, as well as the way an individual metabolizes it, which can vary between people. It can vary from days to weeks, depending on these things.

 

[katydid23]

rsbm --

I don't know if you know any LE at all, but if so, please feel free to ask them if they'd rather be dealing with people who had been smoking pot or people who had been drinking alcohol.

Weed is not the same as it used to be. It is so much more concentrated now. And highpowered and often mixed with other things. It is often more of a hallicugenic then it used to be.

 

[human]

I think the wheel of abuse totally fits here. Blaming her.

Wow.

I guess some of us see abuse by him. I sure do.

It just blows my mind on how much of a control freak he is.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

Your point? I agreed he was less than professional. So you think she acted appropriately? Agree to disagree


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I agree to disagree, lol, but then you ask my point? I'm asking what did she do/say wrong in the whole interaction I quoted in response to your post where you questioned her behaviour? Please show an example how inappropriate she was or...... we'll just move on.

I agree, Encinia was less than professional.

 

[Curious Guy]

Weed is not the same as it used to be. It is so much more concentrated now. And highpowered and often mixed with other things. It is often more of a hallicugenic then it used to be.

Yes and yes again. The pro weed crowd will not accept this fact. Weed user violence stats have markedly increased in the last few years. I don't know if the SPLC reports such facts so it might fall on deaf ears.


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[Deleted member 39678]

I agree! LOL I agree with someone on this thread that we don't fully agree on another, but I do respect everyone opinion. Don't care for incorrect info repeated over and over til someone unknowing believes that someone's opinion is a proven fact. Snowballs sometimes.

I agree with opinion being stated as fact around here.

I posed a question this morning before I left for work about smoking being a constitutional right. I read posts in response about it being protected by the Fourth Amendment and "rights to privacy."

I never did see any links from courts cases that supported that legal point of view so during a break at work I did some internet research. I found some claims about smoking being a "fundamental right' but no court rulings that support it.

The courts rulings that I did find seemed to point in the direction that smoking anywhere (including homes and cars) is not protected by the US Constitution.

Sorry. No links. I feel that since the posts that claimed the Fourth Amendment didn't have any court case links then I don't have to bother with them either. JMO

 

[Rocky Road]

Haven't read any of this thread and not going to. I suspect that many have taken the position that only one side can be right and one side is wrong. Bottom line is she was wrong for being rude and disrespectful, but being rude and disrespectful is not against the law and officers are supposed to be trained to rise above that mentality, or at least that is what I ask of the officers for whom I pay their salary. This officer was on a power trip and didn't like the fact that she refused to obey unlawful orders and things escalated from there. Both contributed to create the situation. One is supposed to rise above a criminal or ****gish (or whatever word you want to attach to it) type of mind set.

In the bigger picture, the continuing conflict will continue to grow until those in the profession and/or those with family and friends in the profession can start to admit their wrongs. I suspect that most have taken the same stance in nearly every single case that has been brought up involving an officer and they lose credibility because of that. It is as predictable as the day is long and that mentality will continue to foster the divide between segments of society and law enforcement. That and the need for officers to learn that I don't have to obey them or listen to them or hell, even listen to them, unless it is lawful under situation. Until they get rid of the arrogance that leads to them believing that ANY order they give should be obeyed, that divide will continue to grow.

I understand your point, but he did not ask her to do anything illegal or unreasonable. Why not cooperate? Officers are human, and sometimes, a particular situation can just affect one adversely enough to cause a quick rise in blood pressure and adrenalin surge that causes a conflict to get out of control. It appears in this case, this driver was under the influence and possibly the officer detected that, in which case, he may have felt it necessary to be firm, because it often is when dealing with people who are under the influence of mind altering drugs.

 

[popsicle]

State Trooper Brian Encinia: Hello ma’am. We’re the Texas Highway Patrol and the reason for your stop is because you failed to signal the lane change. Do you have your driver’s license and registration with you? What’s wrong? How long have you been in Texas?

Sandra Bland: Got here just today.

Encinia: OK. Do you have a driver's license? (Pause) OK, where you headed to now? Give me a few minutes.

(Bland inaudible)

(Encinia returns to his car for several minutes, then approaches Bland again.)

Encinia: OK, ma'am. (Pause.) You OK?

Bland: I'm waiting on you. This is your job. I'm waiting on you. When're you going to let me go?

Encinia: I don't know, you seem very really irritated.

Bland: I am. I really am. I feel like it's crap what I'm getting a ticket for. I was getting out of your way. You were speeding up, tailing me, so I move over and you stop me. So yeah, I am a little irritated, but that doesn’t stop you from giving me a ticket, so [inaudible] ticket.

Encinia: Are you done?

Bland: You asked me what was wrong, now I told you.

Encinia: OK.

Bland: So now I'm done, yeah.

Encinia: You mind putting out your cigarette, please? If you don't mind?

Bland: I'm in my car, why do I have to put out my cigarette?

Encinia: Well you can step on out now.

Bland: I don’t have to step out of my car.

Encinia: Step out of the car.

Bland: Why am I ...

Encinia: Step out of the car!

Bland: No, you don’t have the right. No, you don't have the right.

Encinia: Step out of the car.

Bland: You do not have the right. You do not have the right to do this.

Encinia: I do have the right, now step out or I will remove you.

Bland: I refuse to talk to you other than to identify myself. [crosstalk] I am getting removed for a failure to signal?

Encinia: Step out or I will remove you. I’m giving you a lawful order.

Get out of the car now or I’m going to remove you.

Bland: And I’m calling my lawyer.

Encinia: I’m going to yank you out of here. (Reaches inside the car.)

Bland: OK, you’re going to yank me out of my car? OK, alright.

Encinia (calling in backup): 2547.

Bland: Let’s do this.

Encinia: Yeah, we’re going to. (Grabs for Bland.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sandra-bland-arrest-transcript_55b03a88e4b0a9b94853b1f1


What is wrong with Sandra's behaviour up till this point? She's not happy about getting a ticket, she explains herself and Encinia doesn't like it. Asking her to put out her cigarette is a control issue on his part, to show authority, she was going to suffer the humiliation of being dragged out of the car, handcuffed and whatever else happened off camera because he didn't like her manner??!!!!

I can't believe he hasn't had people give him excuses or answer him in a curt manner before. Encinia shouldn't be in the job.

JMO

This is from District Attorney Mathis:

Mathis has seen that video. He described Bland as “very combative” and noncompliant, but also appeared to fault the trooper, noting, “It was not a model traffic stop, and it was not a model person that was stopped.”

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na...-jail-hanging-case-20150720-story.html#page=2

 

[Montjoy]

Just as a point of interest, only tangentially related to this case -- I mainly work in remote places where those who are arrested/remanded/etc. need to be flown to larger areas to be processed. Those in custody are accompanied by LE in the same planes on which everyone else flies. Most of those transported smoke, and the RCMP officers who transport them *always* make sure that they can smoke as much as they want before they fly, even though, so far as I can tell, only about 10-20% of them smoke, and probably even fewer like being around someone else's smoke. One constable told me, a while back, that it was just much easier and safer to transport their peeps if they'd had as much to smoke as they'd like. I'm sure that this isn't just a Canadian thing, as well. I think there are probably some good reasons to let someone smoke when they're being questioned. To deprive a smoker a cigarette in her own vehicle -- at a time in which she has no reason to believe that she is under arrest -- could not, IMO, be seen as a way of deescalating an encounter.

 

[Curious Guy]

I agree to disagree, lol, but then you ask my point? I'm asking what did she do/say wrong in the whole interaction I quoted in response to your post where you questioned her behaviour? Please show an example how inappropriate she was or...... we'll just move on.

I agree, Encinia was less than professional.

If you think that interaction between the two of them was all"cop fault" , innocent, meek, law abiding citizen" yes we will agree to disagree. Laughing out loud makes it no more sensible


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[bessie]

if someone alerts on a lot of posts in any given thread then the mods will close that thread because it is too problematic and time consuming to stay open.

You're mistaken, katy. It's not excessive alerts which cause a thread to be shut down. It's excessive belligerence that drives a thread off the rails.

Alerting early, and responsibly, lets the mods know action is required before the situation spins out of control. Unfortunately, in some cases, despite our best efforts, members persist in chasing each other around in endless circles until it becomes clear that any hope of restoring a productive discussion is lost. Then we're left with no choice but to can it.