Young woman changes lane without signal found dead in jail

[carlson1]

"While being booked to the Waller County Jail, Bland told police that she attempted suicide with pills in 2014 following the loss of her baby.

When asked if she was feeling depressed, she said “yes.” When asked if she was feeling depressed at that moment, she responded in the affirmative. Bland told authorities she had thoughts of suicide, but said she hadn’t had any that day."


This is apparently from the booking report.

Seems game over as far as her death is concerned. She killed her self.

It is not game over because Jail Commission requires an inmate who is having suicidal thoughts to be observed every fifteen minutes. I don't which news media covered it, but they did say their were some Jailors who hadn't completed mandatory in-service training.

I have worked with several families over the last twenty five years that have lost loved ones to suicide. I keep hearing the family quote things like, "she just bought groceries. Does that sound like someone that is going to commit suicide? It doesn't make sense." Suicide only makes sense to the one commiting suicide.

I have prayed for those involved and will continue to pray for her family. Ms. Bland did a very selfish thing.

[mojo84]

I also wonder if she should have been seen by a psychiatrist for evaluation based on her comments. I am confident she killed herself.

[RPBrown]

Based on what MSM is reporting, the trooper already had filled out a written warning for her. When he returned is when she became agitated before she even knew of the outcome of the stop, which in turn agitated the trooper. Things went down hill from there.

[ShootDontTalk]

I think before everyone jumps to assumptions, which usually ends with predictable results, that we should go re-read this thread. It is the very discussion being carried on about "lawful orders." This is not as simple an issue as is usually talked about today.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8297" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Something else crossed my mind. Ms. Bland had prior arrests. The Trooper probably knew of these. He was not dealing with a complete unknown. I'm pretty sure this information comes up when running a DL through NCIC on a laptop in the cruiser.

He might have been slightly suspicious and asked her politely about the cigarette to "test the waters" of compliance. When she reacted the way she did, his suspicion level was raised.

When he asked her to step out and she refused, it appears she may have used FORCE to resist inside the car, thus grounds for arrest - if he wanted to push it. It seemed to me that he might not have wanted to as they reached the curb. He had discretion to not push the issue. From there the situation went south. However, no one did anything to hurt or injure her - as can be seen.

The family has entered into this ridiculous narrative that the police killed her because everyone should know that police cannot arrest or in any way impede anything certain groups of people want to do. Make no mistake though. I believe the evidence here will prove she is dead of her own hand.

And yes, these are assumptions on my part subject to predictable results.

[philip964]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2015 ... 3Afacebook" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Boston journalist's view of the death of Sandra Bland.

[jmra]

Weed in her system - multiple self inflicted wounds up to an inch long on body as little as two weeks old. The family is living in denial if the y believe that she was not capable of taking her own life.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/07/24/sa ... psy-shows/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Saw on FB where people are suggesting she was actually already dead when the the mug shot was taken.

[CHLLady]

From what I see, you had two individuals with bad attitudes, but one with more authority. There were mistakes made on both sides that lead to this tragedy. I feel empathy for this family who lost their loved one who was hiding so much pain. Her sister was very eloquent on her sister's behalf and obviously loved her very much. It's very difficult to accept suicide.

[WildBill]

From what I see, you had two individuals with bad attitudes, but one with more authority. There were mistakes made on both sides that lead to this tragedy. I feel empathy for this family who lost their loved one who was hiding so much pain. Her sister was very eloquent on her sister's behalf and obviously loved her very much. It's very difficult to accept suicide.

[Texas_Blaze]

...If a police officer asks me to do a tap dance on the roof of my car, I will and then file a complaint a later time...

So in my opinion, I don't see the need for the officer to ask her to put out her cigarette. Say she complied, would she have much luck in suing? Not likely. Can you imagine the ridicule of such a lawsuit? A complaint would do little also, unless it went to the media and served their purpose. Thus, it appears to me, that having the authority provides some the opportunity to push the bounds with little consequence because they can, and get a feeling of dominance while appearing justified.

[philip964]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/bid- ... l-32682239" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"A courageous voice"

So if you kill yourself this is a good thing?

[nightmare69]

I have seen the entire 49 min video and it shows how bad the female cursed and belittled the officer refusing to follow orders to step out. Also, if you are detained during a traffic stop LEOs have the right to order you to step out of the vehicle.
Pennsylvania v. Mimms allows this. I hate that race is being brought into this even though the 2 African American troopers who showed up as backup didn't have a problem how this was handled.

[tomtexan]

nightmare69, as a LEO what do you think was his reasoning for asking her to extinguish the cigarette?

Have you ever asked a person to put one out during a traffic stop?

[nightmare69]

nightmare69, as a LEO what do you think was his reasoning for asking her to extinguish the cigarette?

Have you ever asked a person to put one out during a traffic stop?

She had the right to smoke but I feel like he asked her to put it out so when he had her step out she wouldn't have anything in her hand. She was just doing it to be a jerk. I've had people taking on their phones and ignoring me during a traffic stop so I wrote them citations for everything I could find. We had a female who was brought into jail last week for refusing to sign a citation. She was also ignoring the officer talking on her phone. She learned a hard lesson. It pays to be courteous and comply.

[nightmare69]

This news article explains the smoking well.

http://www.cbs46.com/story/29620302/can ... ulled-over" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[VMI77]

nightmare69, as a LEO what do you think was his reasoning for asking her to extinguish the cigarette?

Have you ever asked a person to put one out during a traffic stop?

She had the right to smoke but I feel like he asked her to put it out so when he had her step out she wouldn't have anything in her hand. She was just doing it to be a jerk. I've had people taking on their phones and ignoring me during a traffic stop so I wrote them citations for everything I could find. We had a female who was brought into jail last week for refusing to sign a citation. She was also ignoring the officer talking on her phone. She learned a hard lesson. It pays to be courteous and comply.

Which seems like the right thing to do. Apparently you handled it well and professionally and didn't attempt to pull them out of the car and show them who was boss.