TX - Sandra Bland, 28, found dead in jail cell, Waller County, 13 July 2015 #2

[Elisaa444]

This is highly offensive and dismissive of Sandra Bland's family, in my opinion. First of all, when someone you love has mental health issues - even when you are trained to see warning signs - it is woefully easy to misinterpret signs. One can be in denial, or blame themselves, or hope external circumstances are the cause of their loved one's troubles - your feelings for the person color how you perceive the situation. As the mom to a mentally ill teen, I gotta say it took me a long time to accept the signs we were seeing (and my husband has over 10 years experience in mental health himself) - now that we've accepted that our daughter desperately needs help we can't give her, we're up against the odds in other ways. We can't afford private counseling yet CAMHS is under severe financial strain with some children and teens waiting months for treatment. In the meantime, as is common with untreated mental health illnesses, the situation is devolving. I can't predict that my daughter won't be stopped by police officers and questioned; I can't predict she won't cop one of her infamous attitudes; and I can't predict if she will attempt to take her life. I do KNOW that if my daughter is ever detained, I would expect the facility she is housed in to keep her safe, even if that means safe from herself.

Apologies for the personal anecdotes. There's a larger legal issue here though and that's that the jail assumes immediate caretaking for the person arrested. It is their legal duty to ensure the safety of inmates so I'd like to know why there were plastic bags in the cells at all? In 90% of hangings it is common, household items used (such as plastic bags). Was the intake procedure handled correctly? Was there trained staff able to deal with any mental health issues that arose? Was Sandra made aware of that and did she have access to such staff? Why do the handwritten notes on her mental health status and the computerized version differ? Why are there no notes that her self-harming was recognized? Why wasn't greater scrutiny paid to her having suffered recent losses and attempting suicide earlier this year?

So yeah, if I were in Sandra Bland's family's shoes, I'd be asking a lot of questions too. If it turns out the jail did not follow procedures correctly and she died as a result of such failures, even if by her own hand, I'd absolutely support her family in seeking financial compensation because that may well be all they can do to help ensure this never happens to anyone else. It would be no different than any other wrongful death suit to me. I don't see it as 'blood money' - I see it as possibly the only way of righting a wrong. We can only learn from our mistakes when we recognize them as mistakes. I'm quite certain no amount of 'blood money' can possibly fill the hole Sandra's passing has left in their hearts.

JMO

ETA: I've lost the post, but it is actually a misconception that all self-harmers hide their wounds and scars. The majority do but by no means all. I believed the same thing - until I got smacked back to earth with a teen daughter who is atypical - she has deliberately wounded herself in visible areas or chosen clothing that almost seems to highlight her self-harm. JME

BBM

Thanks a lot BritsKate for taking the time to write this. You're much more tolerant than I am.

 

[BellaVita]

So yeah, if I were in Sandra Bland's family's shoes, I'd be asking a lot of questions too. If it turns out the jail did not follow procedures correctly and she died as a result of such failures, even if by her own hand, I'd absolutely support her family in seeking financial compensation because that may well be all they can do to help ensure this never happens to anyone else. It would be no different than any other wrongful death suit to me. I don't see it as 'blood money' - I see it as possibly the only way of righting a wrong. We can only learn from our mistakes when we recognize them as mistakes. I'm quite certain no amount of 'blood money' can possibly fill the hole Sandra's passing has left in their hearts.

If the family attempts to become wealthy using her death, that is offensive to me. It will not fix anything. I support that they would like a full investigation and answers. IF there is true negligence, I support disciplinary action against those involved.

 

[BellaVita]

How is it obnoxious to say 'yes sir' and 'no sir' and mind one's mouth during a traffic stop? It is an officer wearing a badge and enforcing the law. Why not show them some respect?

When did she say she gave up any of her civil rights?

ITA. She already had tons of charges on her driving record. Thousands of dollars to pay in back fines which was likely going to result in having her license revoked. She may have been close to having enough points on her license that it would be revoked. Her license is already in jeopardy. Common sense would say to be pleasant as possible so as not to pile up even more charges. THAT is acting in one's own best interests.

 

[BellaVita]

So, accept your violation without protest, then address it later in court.

Interesting.

Any psychologists want to weigh in here?

When an officer decides to issue a ticket, he's not going to change his mind because someone decides to fight it out with him. Not going to happen. A courtroom is the proper venue for this. A reasonable person looking out for their own self-interest understands that. I think a psychologist would concur.

 

[stmarysmead]

It's interesting that Sandra has had a problem with not having auto insurance also.


March of 2013 – Bland was stopped in Crestwood Township while driving a 2013 Cadillac DeVille and received two citations – for speeding 21-25 mph above the limit, and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. She was fined $200, which – according to Cook County Court records – has not been paid.

February of 2014 – Bland was stopped by Lombard Police and charged with operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving with expired license plates. She was convicted in both charges and fined, but by May of 2014 court records show that she still owed $2,769.00 in fines, and the judge ordered that the Illinois Secretary of State be notified of her failure to pay

March 3, 2014 – Naperville Police cited Bland for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Court records show she was ordered to pay a fine, but was cited twice for failure to pay. In June of 2014 the court ordered that the Illinois Secretary of State be notified, and the docket lists a $1,313.00 balance still due.

March 8, 2014 – Approximately five days after her stop in Naperville, Bland was stopped by police in Lombard and charged with two counts of driving under the influence; speeding 15-20 mph over the speed limit; improper lane usage; disobeying a traffic control signal; failing to signal when changing lanes; driving on a suspended license, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The court found her guilty of one DUI charge, and all the other charges were dismissed. She received court supervision and was fined, and court records show that she still owes $3,132.00 in this case. (A spokesman with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office says Bland’s driver’s license was automatically suspended for six months – until November of 2014 – as a result of this DUI conviction.)

​

That shows a total disregard for buying necessary auto insurance.
​

​

​

http://www.nbcchicago.com/investiga...revious-Encounters-With-Police-316025661.html

Some here are arguing that the police Officier was making up laws that SB had every right to disobey. But it looks like she was in the habit of disobeying laws in legitimate cases as well. There's a reason we need to all carry insurance. There's a reason we don't want drivers "under the influence" on the road. There's a reason we must stop at stop signs. There's a duty to the rest of us who share the road with you to follow those rules...that is "social justice" too.

Not paying fines continually...is flaunting the justice system. What is the purpose of issuing fines if any of can just ignore them and never pay...and go on obeying only the laws that suit us?

Her past history of ignoring simple laws that are imposed on ALL of us, and serve a purpose of public safety is troubling to me. To me, looking at social justice statistics etc is no excuse if indeed you are driving drunk, not paying fines, running stop signs. We don't fix social issues by disobeying laws that keep all of us safer on the road.

I wonder if SB had a child in elementary school and someone had made two attempts to pull a Little One into his car outside the school, if she would feel hatred and disdain upon seeing a police car waiting by the school as classes were dismissed? I wonder if she suspected someone was following her on a deserted urban street, if the sight of a patrol car parked up ahead would anger her? Because we truly depend on police to be there FOR US in the frightening, harrowing moments of life, I personally cut them slack when they are not delightful and charming in the annoying, smaller incidents were we are more likely to intersect. I give them respect for all the times they got a drunk off the road before he hit my kid's car; for every time a rapist was arrested near my daughter's not so secure NYC apartment; for the million ways that my safety is enhanced every day because they put themselves in danger.

If they ask me to get out of the car...out I go. I will have the name and badge number and if the Officier really crosses a line, I can seek justice in court, not on the street. Otherwise, I just consider my cooperation, even if it's over the top...my way of showing appreciation for the zillion ways my life is safer every single day because of them.

I agree there are issues to be addressed. But I also wonder if the current hostility toward police is going to produce just...positive...results? I fear another outcome will be fewer people coming forward to become LE. Then that car won't be outside my child's elementary school protecting the children from a pervert...because they won't be able to spare the manpower. And the cruiser won't be there watching as we walk in a troubled part of town.

There needs to be balance in the rhetoric and in the way we treat each other...no Angels and Devils. No simplistic slogans. There needs to be willingness to "walk a mile in my shoes" on both sides. If this young lady had thought about the unfairness that accrues if someone is hit by an uninsured driver, if she had thought about the many senseless deaths from driving under the influence, it might have given her a different perspective about her own predicament and the role of police.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Some here are arguing that the police Officier was making up laws that SB had every right to disobey. But it looks like she was in the habit of disobeying laws in legitimate cases as well. There's a reason we need to all carry insurance. There's a reason we don't want drivers "under the influence" on the road. There's a reason we must stop at stop signs. There's a duty to the rest of us who share the road with you to follow those rules...that is "social justice" too.

Not paying fines continually...is flaunting the justice system. What is the purpose of issuing fines if any of can just ignore them and never pay...and go on obeying only the laws that suit us?

Her past history of ignoring simple laws that are imposed on ALL of us, and serve a purpose of public safety is troubling to me. To me, looking at social justice statistics etc is no excuse if indeed you are driving drunk, not paying fines, running stop signs. We don't fix social issues by disobeying laws that keep all of us safer on the road.

I wonder if SB had a child in elementary school and someone had made two attempts to pull a Little One into his car outside the school, if she would feel hatred and disdain upon seeing a police car waiting by the school as classes were dismissed? I wonder if she suspected someone was following her on a deserted urban street, if the sight of a patrol car parked up ahead would anger her? Because we truly depend on police to be there FOR US in the frightening, harrowing moments of life, I personally cut them slack when they are not delightful and charming in the annoying, smaller incidents were we are more likely to intersect. I give them respect for all the times they got a drunk off the road before he hit my kid's car; for every time a rapist was arrested near my daughter's not so secure NYC apartment; for the million ways that my safety is enhanced every day because they put themselves in danger.

If they ask me to get out of the car...out I go. I will have the name and badge number and if the Officier really crosses a line, I can seek justice in court, not on the street. Otherwise, I just consider my cooperation, even if it's over the top...my way of showing appreciation for the zillion ways my life is safer every single day because of them.

I agree there are issues to be addressed. But I also wonder if the current hostility toward police is going to produce just...positive...results? I fear another outcome will be fewer people coming forward to become LE. Then that car won't be outside my child's elementary school protecting the children from a pervert...because they won't be able to spare the manpower. And the cruiser won't be there watching as we walk in a troubled part of town.

There needs to be balance in the rhetoric and in the way we treat each other...no Angels and Devils. No simplistic slogans. There needs to be willingness to "walk a mile in my shoes" on both sides. If this young lady had thought about the unfairness that accrues if someone is hit by an uninsured driver, if she had thought about the many senseless deaths from driving under the influence, it might have given her a different perspective about her own predicament and the role of police.

A very thoughtful post StMary.

It makes me very sad that Sandra took her own life.

But that doesn't erase her history when it comes to the numerous traffic violations she committed before she died. She seem to be a habitual offender and simply had no regard for the laws that are suppose to govern us all......even Sandra.

What her multiple traffic offense record showed me is this wasn't her first rodeo of being charged or arrested with an offense/s and being jailed. Being arrested and jailed wasn't something new to Sandra. I think what made it different this time is it seems in the past her friends/family were use to cleaning up her mess when she was jailed. But for some reason this time they weren't doing it. Maybe they had become weary of having to do the same thing for her over and over again. Even friends and family can have their fill of something. I think when they didn't rush to get her out like they had done before it pushed her over the edge.

Her traffic history also shows me she had absolutely no regard for the law. These offenses weren't just for driving without a license and having no vehicle insurance but they were also for pot, speeding, and one DUI. During these 10 stops she received multiple violations and three of them were in less than a month of two from February to March of 2014.

I cant understand anyone who already had high fines piling up to go right back out and commit more offenses including speeding. It seems like to me she would drive extra carefully knowing she didn't have a license or insurance but that was not the case.

And I am beginning to doubt if she even had the university job. They do background checks including credit reports and would have seen all of this. Plus the short statement they gave to the press mentions nothing about Sandra being employed with them.

The reason insurance premiums are so high now is because the payers (law abiders) have to pay more because of all of the irresponsible people that don't carry any insurance at all.......not even liability which is very reasonable.

IMO

 

[arkansasmimi]

Trooper BE told whoever he was speaking with on cellphone, that when he went back to SB car, that she was still mad, and looking straight ahead, irritated wouldn't look at him

 

[popsicle]

Respectfully BBM, in this case per the Autopsy Report it happened in this case:

Volar: Pertaining to the palm or the sole. For example, the volar surface of the forearm is the portion of the forearm that is on the same side as the palm of the hand. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9907


pg 4/11 Autopsy report
ll. SUPERFICIAL HEALING CUT MARKS, VOLAR LEFT FOREARM: The volar left forearm contains approximately 25 to 30 horizontal faint linear healing scabbed superficial incised wounds with focal pale, scarred regions of healing, which are parallel and range in length from 3/16 to 1 inch.


pg 9/11 ss close up of the area from diagram View attachment 78823

Jayme Fraser ‏@JaymeKFraser Jul 23
Left wrist #SandraBland

 

[Tssiemer]

From what I've read, seen, heard, can tell she probably had BPD.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[arkansasmimi]

Jayme Fraser ‏@JaymeKFraser Jul 23
Left wrist #SandraBland

Thank you very much!!

 

[pepelepolecat]

You need money to go to court. What would she have won?

She may have won if the dashcam footage wasn't suffering mysterious "glitches." Or she'd still be just as demonized, with people saying that she "instigated" the situation to make a quick buck, and she would have had an enormous target on her back in her new city.

In other words, I don't think that there was any way for Sandra Bland to come out of this a winner once she was stopped by BE.

 

[Elley Mae]

ITA. She already had tons of charges on her driving record. Thousands of dollars to pay in back fines which was likely going to result in having her license revoked. She may have been close to having enough points on her license that it would be revoked. Her license is already in jeopardy. Common sense would say to be pleasant as possible so as not to pile up even more charges. THAT is acting in one's own best interests.

That right there tells me that she knew the drill, just like me, I have been pulled over at least 6 times, yeah I got a heavy foot, but I know to be nice to Officer Friendly. I treat them the way I want to be treated, with respect. I have gotten a ticket on occasion but I deserved it, but mostly a warning. jmo idk

 

[arkansasmimi]

Dozens protest outside Katy home of state trooper
By Tina Nazerian Updated 8:20 am, Monday, July 27, 2015

Harris County Sheriff's deputies arrive on horseback before a protest by African-American community leaders calling for the firing and indictment of State Trooper Brian Encinia on Sunday, July 26, 2015, in Katy. The demonstrators gathered at an apartment complex, lined by Harris County deputies on horseback, to protest against the trooper who arrested Sandra Bland.

"We believe that the state of Texas should have indicted this trooper a long time ago for assaulting and violating the civil rights of sister Sandra Bland," he said. "We don't think he's qualified to wear the uniform."
He said earlier in the day that he has been in contact with the Bland family, but would not disclose more details.
DPS officials confirmed Sunday that Encinia remains on administrative duty.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

[arkansasmimi]

I disagree protesting in front of ANYONE's Home. Innocent people and possible wrong home.:facepalm:

 

[EllieBee]

I disagree protesting in front of ANYONE's Home. Innocent people and possible wrong home.:facepalm:

And innocent neighbors who are having their peace disturbed.

I was appalled when this sort of thing happened in Christina Morris' case.

 

[human]

Start at @12:20 mark she constantly cussing him, he telling her stand still and stop resisting, After he finally got her to turn around and so he could handcuff her, he goes to the front of his car, gets his clipboard/ticket book and closes the driver side door. He tells her to come over and read, that he was giving her a Warning. She continues to cuss him, he goes over and asked if she has anything on your person thats illegal and she cusses telling it a maxi dress, he takes her glasses off, and from what sounds like he is going to pat her down? thats when the whole resisting kicking elbow poking comes in, the female officer is there by then and tells her to quit resisting and then few seconds later tells Trooper BE I got her to go take care of himself http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-texas-new-sandra-bland-video--20150722-story.html#page=1

If she had just stood still and calmed down, it would have been better for her. She created that whole scenario. JMHO

ETA she was on her stomach, they told her to roll over and and sit up on her butt to get up. That's when she got scraped on shoulder.

He is going to pat her down? Not the female LE?

 

[arkansasmimi]

And innocent neighbors who are having their peace disturbed.

I was appalled when this sort of thing happened in Christina Morris' case.

Exactly. It not productive for anything. I saw where SB Mother said yesterday asking not to do that.

Ms. Reed-Veal also asked that supporters take cues from her and her lawyer on how the family wanted to proceed. She said protesters should not demonstrate outside the home of Brian T. Encinia, the trooper who arrested Ms. Bland.

“We want to do this the right way,” Ms. Reed-Veal said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/us/sandra-bland-funeral-texas.html?_r=0

 

[ninij9]

Some here are arguing that the police Officier was making up laws that SB had every right to disobey. But it looks like she was in the habit of disobeying laws in legitimate cases as well. There's a reason we need to all carry insurance. There's a reason we don't want drivers "under the influence" on the road. There's a reason we must stop at stop signs. There's a duty to the rest of us who share the road with you to follow those rules...that is "social justice" too.

Not paying fines continually...is flaunting the justice system. What is the purpose of issuing fines if any of can just ignore them and never pay...and go on obeying only the laws that suit us?

Her past history of ignoring simple laws that are imposed on ALL of us, and serve a purpose of public safety is troubling to me. To me, looking at social justice statistics etc is no excuse if indeed you are driving drunk, not paying fines, running stop signs. We don't fix social issues by disobeying laws that keep all of us safer on the road.

I wonder if SB had a child in elementary school and someone had made two attempts to pull a Little One into his car outside the school, if she would feel hatred and disdain upon seeing a police car waiting by the school as classes were dismissed? I wonder if she suspected someone was following her on a deserted urban street, if the sight of a patrol car parked up ahead would anger her? Because we truly depend on police to be there FOR US in the frightening, harrowing moments of life, I personally cut them slack when they are not delightful and charming in the annoying, smaller incidents were we are more likely to intersect. I give them respect for all the times they got a drunk off the road before he hit my kid's car; for every time a rapist was arrested near my daughter's not so secure NYC apartment; for the million ways that my safety is enhanced every day because they put themselves in danger.

If they ask me to get out of the car...out I go. I will have the name and badge number and if the Officier really crosses a line, I can seek justice in court, not on the street. Otherwise, I just consider my cooperation, even if it's over the top...my way of showing appreciation for the zillion ways my life is safer every single day because of them.

I agree there are issues to be addressed. But I also wonder if the current hostility toward police is going to produce just...positive...results? I fear another outcome will be fewer people coming forward to become LE. Then that car won't be outside my child's elementary school protecting the children from a pervert...because they won't be able to spare the manpower. And the cruiser won't be there watching as we walk in a troubled part of town.

There needs to be balance in the rhetoric and in the way we treat each other...no Angels and Devils. No simplistic slogans. There needs to be willingness to "walk a mile in my shoes" on both sides. If this young lady had thought about the unfairness that accrues if someone is hit by an uninsured driver, if she had thought about the many senseless deaths from driving under the influence, it might have given her a different perspective about her own predicament and the role of police.

You have my vote for post of the day. Very well said.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[human]

That's what this Public Defenders Office says, and could have saved her bond $ and inconvenience of being in jail. Getting depressed and taking her own life, sadly.

Know Your Rights, Broward County Public Defender Office (FL) http://www.browarddefender.org/page3.html

Good to know. Is this common knowledge? Do they teach this in school or where does one learn this?

 

[arkansasmimi]

Reed-Veal, Bland's mother, told the congregation that she had a strained relationship with her daughter over the last few years. She spoke of how lucky she felt that, three weeks ago, just one week before her daughter died, the two took a road trip together.


The trip, filled with music, laughter and stories, instantly rekindled their relationship. And Reed-Veal said she couldn't be more grateful.

“We talked about things she'd done and was disappointed by, and said she was sorry. I said I was sorry,” Reed-Veal said. “To have had that last week with her cleared up everything.” http://www.chicagotribune.com/subur...s/ct-sandra-bland-funeral-20150725-story.html