Death of Sandra Bland explained

Image Upright:0.8
Time: (CDT)
Place:Waller County Jail, Hempstead, Texas
Coordinates: (traffic stop)
(Waller County Jail)
Cause:Ruled a suicide by asphyxiation
Burial:Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens West
Willow Springs, Illinois, U.S.
Deaths:Sandra Annette Bland
Inquiries:FBI investigation concluding wrongdoing by county jail
Type:Death in custody
Coroner:Harris County Medical Examiner
Charges:Brian Encinia:
Perjury (dropped)
Outcome:Charge dropped against Brian Encinia as part of a plea agreement
Litigation:Wrongful death lawsuit by Bland's mother settled for $1.9 million

Sandra Annette Bland was a 28-year-old African-American woman who was found hanged in a jail cell in Waller County, Texas, on, 2015, three days after being arrested during a traffic stop.[1] Officials found her death to be a suicide. There were protests against her arrest, disputing the cause of death, and alleging racial violence against her.[2] [3]

Bland was pulled over for a traffic violation on by State Trooper Brian Encinia. The exchange escalated, resulting in Bland's arrest and a charge of assaulting a police officer. The arrest was partially recorded by Encinia's dashcam, a bystander's cell phone, and Bland's own cell phone. After authorities reviewed the dashcam footage, Encinia was placed on administrative leave for failing to follow proper traffic stop procedures.[4] [5]

Texas authorities and the FBI conducted an investigation into Bland's death[6] and determined the Waller County jail did not follow required policies, including time checks on inmates and ensuring that employees had completed required mental health training.

In December 2015, a grand jury declined to indict the county sheriff and jail staff for a felony relating to Bland's death. The following month, Encinia was indicted for perjury for making false statements about the circumstances surrounding Bland's arrest, and he was subsequently fired by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).[7] In September 2016, Bland's mother settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the county jail and police department for $1.9 million and some procedural changes.[8] [9] In June 2017, the perjury charge against Encinia was dropped in return for his agreement to permanently end his law enforcement career.

In 2019, Bland's cell phone video became available to the public and to Bland's family for the first time.[10] The video was obtained and shown by Dallas news station WFAA.[11] This video was not available during the civil trials.

Background

Sandra Bland

Sandra Annette Bland (February 7, 1987 – July 13, 2015) was from Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and was one of five sisters. She attended Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois and graduated in 2005, then Prairie View A&M University outside Hempstead in Waller County, Texas, where she was a member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. She graduated in 2009 with a degree in agriculture.[12] [13] At Prairie View, she was recruited as a summer counselor for three years, played in the marching band, and volunteered for a senior citizens advocacy group.

Bland returned to Illinois in 2009. She worked in administration for Cook's Direct, a food-service equipment supplier, a job she left shortly before her death. She had been due to start a temporary job on, 2015, with Prairie View as a summer program associate.

In January 2015, Bland began posting videos about many subjects, including police mistreatment of African Americans. In one post she wrote, "In the news that we've seen as of late, you could stand there, surrender to the cops, and still be killed.", she said in a video posted in April 2015.[14] She has been described as a civil rights activist in Chicago, and a part of the Black Lives Matter movement. Bland had at least ten previous traffic-related encounters with police in Illinois and Texas beginning in June 2004, and had been charged five times for driving without insurance, four times for speeding, and once each for driving while intoxicated and drug possession. In May 2010 Bland was charged with marijuana possession in Houston. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 days in the Harris County jail in September 2010 according to court records.[13] She owed $7,579 in unpaid fines at the time of her death. In her last legal case her license was suspended for six months after pleading guilty to DUI. Her license was restored in November 2014.[15]

Brian Encinia

Brian Encinia was 30 years old at the time of the incident, and is listed in Texas voter records as Hispanic.[16] He graduated from Texas A&M University in 2008 with a degree in agricultural leadership and development.[17]

Traffic stop

Encinia had a history of performing pretextual traffic stops, having issued 1,600 mostly minor tickets in less than 12 months, using the pretext of little-enforced minor infractions to then perform random searches in the hope of finding something criminal.[18] He began following Bland in Prairie View, Texas on the afternoon of, 2015, where he pulled her over on University Drive[19] for failure to signal a lane change.[20] [21] In a series of events recorded by his dashcam, along with a bystander and Bland herself, Encinia spoke to Bland, and the interaction became heated; he told her to get out of the car, she refused, was threatened with a drawn Taser and the words "I will light you up", and exited the car. After they moved out of frame, he forced her on the ground, and arrested her.

Arrest footage

In response to controversy over Bland's arrest and death, on the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) released dashcam footage of the arrest.[22] Parts of the video appeared to be edited, with images of cars and people appearing or vanishing on the road, while the audio of Encinia's voice proceeded without interruption.[23] A DPS spokesperson said that irregularities in the video resulted from technical issues that occurred when the video was posted.[24] DPS then took down the problem video and replaced it with another version.[25]

The footage shows that Encinia's tone and attitude change after he asks if Bland is irritated and she answers affirmatively. He initially wrote a routine traffic violation warning for Bland after she moved over but did not signal to let him pass since he was tailing her closely. After he returns to her car and speaks briefly to her again, he asks her to put out her cigarette. She responds, "Why do I have to put out a cigarette when I'm in my own car?" Encinia orders her to "get out of the car",[26] and, when she repeatedly refuses to exit, he tells her she is under arrest.[27] Bland repeatedly asks why she is under arrest, and Encinia responds, "I am giving you a lawful order." She refuses to leave her car, stating she is not under arrest as she is unaware of the reason and not obliged to. Encinia then opens her car door and tells her more than a dozen times to get out of the car[28] before he tries to pull her out. After struggling, he draws his Taser and points it at Bland, shouting "I will light you up! Get out! Now!", at which point she exits her vehicle.

Once Bland is out of her car, the officer orders her to put down her cell phone and tells her she is going to jail. Bland continues to not follow the officer's orders. In the video, both Bland and the officer move to the passenger side of the vehicle and are no longer visible, while they continue to argue heatedly. Bland can be heard crying and screaming.

Bland's own 39-second video of part of the confrontation, which had been in possession of state investigators, was discovered in 2019 and aired by a Texas TV station. Bland's family and their lawyer in the civil lawsuit claim that the state had not given them this evidence. The Texas Department of Public Safety disagreed.

Eyewitness accounts

In a video recorded by a bystander, Bland is lying on the ground with Encinia and a female police officer above her. Bland says that she cannot hear, and states that the officer has slammed her head into the ground. She tells him that she is epileptic. This is confirmed by police dashcam video footage, in which the officer responds "Good," after Bland informs him of her condition. In the video, Encinia orders the bystander to leave the area.[29]

Sandra Bland also recorded the arrest on her own cell phone; that video became public in 2019, and was not part of the civil trial evidence.

Arrest

DPS stated that Bland was arrested because she kicked Encinia. She was charged with assaulting a public servant. DPS said that she "became argumentative and uncooperative" during the arrest.[30] Officers took her to the Waller County Jail and placed her in a cell alone because they deemed her a high risk to others.

After her arrest, Bland told her sister that the arresting officer had pushed his knees into her back, and that she feared her arm was broken. A Houston television station states it obtained a voice message left by Bland after her arrest in which she asked, "How did switching lanes with no signal turn into all of this?"[31]

Incarceration and death

Bland's bail was set at $5,000. According to a statement from the jail officials, she had been given multiple opportunities to find someone who could post bond including a man she was staying with in Texas who "ignored her calls". Her bondsman also made several attempts to secure bail.[32] Her family later stated they were attempting to secure the 10 percent ($500) needed to secure her release.[33]

On, authorities released several hours of video showing Bland at various times during her jail stay, including arriving at the jail, having her mug shot taken, and making phone calls (see). They said the footage was being released to dispel rumors and conspiracy theories, including that she was dead before she arrived at the jail and that her mug shot was taken after her death. At a news conference, Waller County Judge Trey Duhon said that such rumors have resulted in death threats against county officials: "Because of some of the things that's [⁠''[[sic]] ⁠] gone out on social media, this county has been literally attacked." Duhon said the FBI was investigating the most serious threats.[34]

Alexandria Pyle, an inmate held in the adjacent cell, later told the media that Bland seemed "sort of distraught", was very emotional, and was crying frequently. Pyle, who spoke to Bland through a tiny chute, said Bland was upset that her friend had not come to bail her out. Pyle stated that she never heard any loud noise or commotion that would indicate foul play in Bland's death.[35]

Discovery by jailer

Police stated that at on, Bland refused breakfast, and a half-hour later told a jailer "I'm fine." According to Captain Brian Cantrell, about an hour after stating that she was fine, Bland asked via intercom how to make a phone call. Cantrell stated that Bland was informed she could use the phone in her cell with a PIN, but stated there was no record Bland made any call. Police stated that at, Bland was found "in a semi-standing position" hanging in her cell.

The next day, shortly after noon, police issued a statement that Bland had been found dead in her cell, and that they believed she had hanged herself. On, one week after Bland's death, authorities released video from a motion-activated camera in the hallway outside Bland's cell.[36] The video shows no movement in and out of the cell from 7:34 to, her discovery by a female officer at that time, and resuscitation procedures being performed on Bland's body.[37]

Harris County autopsy

An autopsy conducted by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science concluded that Bland died through asphyxiation, and classified her death as a suicide. Police stated that Bland had used a plastic garbage bag to hang herself. The autopsy report showed Bland had multiple abrasions on the right side of her back, slight abrasions on her wrists,[38] and 25 to 30 healing, parallel cuts on her left forearm that predated her arrest.[39] [40] [41]

Toxicology

An initial toxicology report released by the Harris County medical examiner's office found "a remarkably high concentration" of THC for someone who had been in jail for three days, leading to speculation that Bland may have had access to marijuana while in jail. Waller County assistant district attorney, Warren Diepraam said that it was more likely that Bland had ingested a very large amount of marijuana prior to her arrest. A toxicologist for the Tarrant County medical examiner's office agreed, indicating a THC level as high as Bland's suggests she "either had access to the drug in jail or she was a consistent user of the drug and her body had accumulated THC to the point that it was slowly releasing it over time." But he added: "I have never seen a report in the literature or from any other source of residual THC that high three days after someone stops using the drug."[42] [43] Other experts disputed the significance of a single test result from a sample taken after death, explaining that marijuana science is not well-developed and that county officials may have been exaggerating the importance of Bland's THC blood level, which Columbia University researcher Carl Hart said was similar to the baseline blood level of a heavy marijuana user.[44]

Funeral

Bland's funeral was held on at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lisle, Illinois.[45]

Initial reactions

Calls for independent investigation

Family and friends called for an independent autopsy, and stated that it was unlikely Bland would have killed herself. Bland's family said that she was upbeat about the job she was about to begin for Prairie View A&M University.[46]

In March, Bland posted a video to her Facebook page in which she said was suffering from "a little bit of depression as well as PTSD".[47] Her sister said that Bland had no "medically diagnosed clinical depression", but had good and bad days. Cannon Lambert, the family's lawyer, stated that Bland's March post gave little indication of her mindset around the time of her death.

A friend who spoke with Bland while she was in jail said she was upbeat despite the arrest: "It just makes no sense. Sandy was a soldier; she wasn't fazed about it."

Critical response and protests

In the two days after authorities announced her death, 31,000 people tweeted using the hashtag #SandraBland, and an online petition launched calling for an investigation of Bland's death.[48] After three days, 200,000 people had tweeted her name.

On, about 150 protesters gathered outside the Hempstead jail, chanting "No justice, no peace", and "We demand answers."[49] [50] Protesters outside the jail where Bland died held vigils and demanded an explanation for her death.

By, 2015, at least twelve protests had been held for Bland around the country.[51]

Protesters also asked why Bland had been stopped, and alleged racial profiling. Reverend Jamal Bryant of the Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore traveled to Chicago at the Bland family's request, and called Bland's death "not a case of suicide, but homicide."

Texas State Senator Royce West called Bland's death suspicious.[52] After meeting with law enforcement and other officials to discuss the circumstances surrounding Bland's death, he said that "the kind of information disclosed on Bland's intake form should have prompted jail officials to place Bland on a suicide watch, meaning a face-to-face check on her welfare every 15 minutes instead of the hourly checks normally required."

Bland's death resulted in protests, and calls for investigation by family, friends and others including Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).

Eric Zorn, writing for the Chicago Tribune, criticized Encinia for his handling of the traffic stop, calling him a "petty tyrant" and referring to his "Are you done?" as "snippy condescension familiar to anyone experienced in the bickering arts". However, he also said Bland was unnecessarily argumentative, writing: "[Y]ou must always defer meekly to the police. Even when they're acting like bullies, goading you or issuing you preposterous orders like to put out your cigarette as you sit in your own car, don't challenge their authority. ... Comply. And if you feel your rights are being violated, take it up later with a judge."[53]

On, about 25 heavily armed members of the New Black Panther Party rallied at a Texas jail to protest Bland's death and expressed their rage at police. No arrests were made.[54]

In late August, the Prairie View City Council renamed part of University Drive as Sandra Bland Parkway.[55]

Bland's mother, Geneva Reed-Veal, spoke about Bland at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.[56]

On January 21, 2017, at the Women's March on Washington, singer and actress Janelle Monáe included Sandra Bland in her performance, evoking the audience to "Say [Bland's] name!" in addition to giving the Mothers of the Movement the microphone, including Bland's mother, to each say the name of their lost son or daughter.[57]

Official response and investigation

The FBI and DPS announced on that they had launched an investigation into Bland's death. Encinia was placed on administrative duties for violating procedures for traffic stops,[58] and was terminated by DPS following his indictment on perjury charges.[59] Waller County Sheriff R. Glenn Smith, who runs the jail in which Bland died, has been placed in charge of Waller County's investigation into her death. Smith was suspended and fired from his previous post as chief of police of Hempstead after alleged incidents of racism and brutality.[60] [61]

Policy violations at jail

According to CNN, a report from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, published on, found that Waller County jail "guards violated policies by failing to do timely checks on inmates," which should be hourly. The report also stated that jail employees had not been adequately trained to deal with mental health problems. The staff had not all undergone the minimum of two hours of mental health training required by the state.[62]

On, county officials produced intake forms that they say indicate Bland had earlier attempted suicide. One questionnaire states that Bland took pills in 2015 after having a miscarriage.[63] Another form filed by a different jail employee says Bland attempted suicide earlier, in 2014. One form indicates Bland had contemplated suicide within the past year, while another says she did not.

After a white male prisoner hanged himself with a bedsheet in 2012, Texas state inspectors had also cited procedural failings by Waller County Jail's staff.[64]

R. Glenn Smith, the Waller County sheriff, stated that the jail staff may face disciplinary actions for their failures of not putting Bland on a suicide watch, not personally checking on her, and leaving the plastic bag that was fashioned into a noose. He said the actions "could range from suspensions to transfers to terminations".

An inspection in 2018, several years after Bland's death, showed that the Waller County jail was again not monitoring inmates correctly. All inmates were supposed to be monitored face-to-face at least hourly, jail staff exceeded that by two and a half hours. Certain inmates, including those who are assaultive or potentially suicidal, should be monitored every half-hour. That limit was exceeded by 74 minutes.[65]

Further reactions

In August 2015, the Prairie View City Council voted to rename the street Sandra was arrested on to "Sandra Bland Parkway."[66]

In March 2016, documents obtained from the forensic lab that performed Bland's autopsy suggested that the time of death was not that which was originally reported by official investigations and that this could raise questions about the validity of the original investigation.

A report by the Harris County forensic investigator contradicted the official report of the Waller County Sheriff's Department about details of the condition of the body. In addition, the documents stating the time guards last observed Bland alive in her cell did not agree with the security video footage from the jail where Bland was detained, leaving a discrepancy of an hour. Brandon Wood, director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, said that the failure to observe inmates hourly as required by standards "could be criminal in nature." An attorney for the Bland family said that it might be just a clerical error, or might be something "more nefarious."[67]

Bland's mother Geneva Reed-Veal is a member of the Mothers of the Movement, bringing attention to police reform, Bland's story and the grief process of losing a child.[68] [69]

The events surrounding Bland's death form the basis for much of Malcolm Gladwell's sixth book Talking to Strangers.[70]

Sandra Bland's case returned to the public's attention in 2019 when her cell phone video became public for the first time. Her family's attorney said the case needed to be reopened in light of the new evidence.

Legal proceedings

Investigation into death and charges against Encinia

In December 2015, a county grand jury declined to issue an indictment in connection to Bland's death. A special prosecutor said that "the case is still open", and that the grand jury would meet again in January 2016 to discuss other aspects.[71] Those aspects were widely assumed to include Encinia's actions during the traffic stop, and Bland's family urged prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against him.[72] Reconvening the following month, the grand jury indicted Encinia for perjury, a Class A misdemeanor with a possible penalty of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The charge resulted from his statement in an affidavit that his reason for removing Bland from her car was "to further conduct a safe traffic investigation". The grand jury found that statement to be false, according to a special prosecutor. Hours after the indictment was announced, DPS said they had begun the process to terminate Encinia's employment as a state trooper.[73] After an arrest warrant was issued, Encinia surrendered at the Waller County Jail and was released after posting a $2,500 bond. His attorney said that he would appeal his termination, while Bland's family called for more serious criminal charges including battery and false arrest.[74]

On June 28, 2017, a judge granted a motion by prosecutors to dismiss the perjury charge against Encinia. In return, Encinia agreed that he would "never seek, accept or engage in employment in any capacity with law enforcement" in Texas or elsewhere.[75] He also agreed not to seek expungement of the perjury charge.[76]

Wrongful death lawsuit

Bland's family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit, and a jury trial in that case was scheduled for January 2017. The family sought unspecified damages from DPS, Encinia, Waller County, and two jailers.[77] In September 2016, Bland's family settled the lawsuit for $1.9 million, according to her mother. Details remained to be worked out and the agreement still awaited court approval.[78]

Sandra Bland Act

Texas Senate Bill 1849, also known as the Sandra Bland Act, went into effect on September 1, 2017, and mandated change to corrections and police policy when dealing with those with substance abuse or mental health concerns. S.B. 1849 "requires de-escalation training for police officers and mandates county jails divert people with mental health and substance abuse issues toward treatment, makes it easier for defendants to receive a personal bond if they have a mental illness or intellectual disability, and requires that independent law enforcement agencies investigate jail deaths".[79]

Police officers are required to complete comprehensive racial profiling training and forty hours of de-escalation training. Law enforcement agencies will maintain records documenting race or ethnicity of all persons detained and whether the officer knew the individual's race or ethnicity prior to being detained. In addition, police officers will undergo training to limit uses of force. All law enforcement agencies are required to provide education to the public concerning complaint procedures.[80]

County jails are required to collect information used to make a determination of mental illness or intellectual disability. A written assessment of collected information will be submitted to a magistrate and mental health expert if a potential substance abuse, mental illness or intellectual disability exists. If need arises and is reasonable, pending charges may be suspended and an individual may be diverted to a treatment facility. In the event of a death in custody, the custodial agency will begin an investigation until a representative of an outside agency is on scene. In addition, electronic monitoring will be in place to ensure timely security checks for the welfare of those incarcerated.

Tributes

On September 8, 2015, at the Library of Congress, the just-inducted United States Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, the Chicago-Mexican son band Sones de Mexico, and their songwriting class, cowrote the ballad "Corrida de Sandra Bland", in Spanish. Sones de Mexico performed the song the next day.[81]

In 2018, filmmakers Kate Davis and David Heilbroner released the HBO documentary film Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland.[82] Say Her Name is also the title of a painting by the artist Jennifer Packer created in response to Bland's death.[83]

See also

External links

Waller County Jail videos

Waller County Jail surveillance-camera videos at YouTube, no audio, dates/times unknown, not necessarily in correct sequence

Notes and References

  1. News: Barned-Smith . St. John . Authorities investigate apparent suicide at Waller County Jail . March 29, 2017 . Houston Chronicle . July 14, 2015 . November 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114220139/https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Authorities-investigate-apparent-suicide-at-6385033.php . live .
  2. News: Montgomery . David . New Details Released in Sandra Bland's Death in Texas Jail . The New York Times . July 20, 2015 . July 25, 2015 . December 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191216092258/http://nyti.ms/1JtuQEE . live .
  3. News: Barned-Smith . St. John . Waller County authorities release more details in jail suicide . March 29, 2017 . Houston Chronicle . July 17, 2015 . November 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114220144/https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Relatives-question-death-of-woman-found-hanging-6388529.php . live.
  4. News: Park . Haeyoun . The Disputed Accounts of the Arrest and Death of Sandra Bland . The New York Times . July 20, 2015 . July 25, 2015 . November 18, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191118234444/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/20/us/sandra-bland-arrest-death-videos-maps.html . live .
  5. News: Barned-Smith . St. John . Binkovitz . Leah . Trooper who pulled over Bland placed on administrative duty . March 29, 2017 . Houston Chronicle . July 17, 2015 . November 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114220141/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/Waller-County-law-enforcement-under-scrutiny-as-6390814.php?t=5492b6e110 . live.
  6. News: Barned-Smith . St. John . Binkovitz . Leah . In Waller County, questions surround death of jail inmate . March 29, 2017 . Houston Chronicle . July 16, 2015 . November 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114220141/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/In-Waller-County-questions-surround-death-of-6389913.php . live .
  7. News: Bult . Laura . Cop in Sandra Bland case accuses prosecutors of coverup . New York Daily News . March 29, 2017 . July 29, 2016 . November 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114220140/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/sandra-bland-case-accuses-prosecutors-cover-up-article-1.2731122 . live .
  8. News: Silverstein . Jason . Sandra Bland family agrees to $1.9M wrongful death settlement . March 29, 2017 . New York Daily News . September 15, 2016 . November 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114220146/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/sandra-bland-family-settles-wrongful-death-suit-1-9-million-article-1.2793156 . live .
  9. News: Flynn . Meagan . Bills That Could Have Prevented Sandra Bland's Arrest Get Hearing . March 29, 2017 . Houston Press . March 22, 2017 . November 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114220142/https://www.houstonpress.com/news/could-these-bills-have-prevented-the-arrest-of-sandra-bland-9290172 . live .
  10. News: Elfrink . Tim . 'Open up the case, period': Sandra Bland's family demands answers over new video of her arrest . 3 June 2020 . The Washington Post . May 7, 2019 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085352/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/05/07/open-up-case-period-sandra-blands-family-demands-answers-over-new-video-her-arrest/ . live .
  11. News: Collister . Brian . Sandra Bland recorded her own arrest. Watch her cellphone video from the 2015 traffic stop . 3 June 2020 . WFAA . May 6, 2019 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085337/https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/investigations/new-cellphone-video-shows-what-sandra-bland-saw-during-arrest-by-texas-trooper/287-44ff2f5b-f481-48c3-a5ca-fad15296d979 . live .
  12. News: Jason . Keyser . Michael . Graczyk . Friend: Sandra Bland 'in good spirits' before jail death . July 18, 2015 . February 10, 2016 . Associated Press . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085236/https://apnews.com/f0dff63b60cc4593821efe63cfe84c44 . live .
  13. News: Geoff . Ziezulewicz . Bill . Bird . Lolly . Bowean . Family wary after Naperville woman's death in Texas jail; grand jury to inquire . July 16, 2015 . July 25, 2015 . Chicago Tribune . https://web.archive.org/web/20150723223355/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-sandra-bland-texas-jail-death-met-0717-20150717-story.html#page=1 . 2015-07-23 . dead .
  14. News: Blake . Evan . Murky death of Sandra Bland points to possible police lynching . July 21, 2015 . World Socialist Web Site . July 17, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085329/https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/07/17/poli-j17.html . live .
  15. News: Smyser . Katy . Suburban Woman Found Dead in Jail Had Previous Encounters With Police . . Chicago . July 17, 2015 . July 25, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085407/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/suburban-woman-found-dead-in-jail-had-previous-encounters-with-police/53646/ . live .
  16. News: Tom . Dart . Oliver . Laughland . Sandra Bland: Texas officials deny dashcam footage of arrest was doctored . July 22, 2015 . July 26, 2015 . The Guardian US Edition . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085245/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/22/sandra-bland-texas-dashcam-footage-doctored . live .
  17. News: Trooper in Sandra Bland Case Is Under Criminal Probe . The Wall Street Journal . July 22, 2015 . July 27, 2015 . Ana . Campoy . Nathan . Koppel . subscription required . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085252/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trooper-in-sandra-bland-case-is-under-criminal-probe-1437589219 . live .
  18. Book: Malcolm, Gladwell . 2019 . Talking to Strangers . New York . . 320–326 . 978-0-316-47852-6 . Malcolm Gladwell.
  19. News: A sign for Sandra Bland: 'Signal lane change or sheriff may kill you' . Molly . Hennessy-Fiske . July 24, 2015 . Los Angeles Times . July 25, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085341/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-sandra-bland-sign-20150724-story.html . live .
  20. News: Robert . Stanton . Video shows that traffic stop of woman who died in Texas jail escalated quickly . July 22, 2015 . Reuters . July 25, 2015.
  21. News: Duchon . Richie . Sandra Bland Death: Texas to Look Into Alleged Edits of Dashcam Video . NBC News . July 22, 2015 . October 7, 2019 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085314/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sandra-bland-death-texas-look-alleged-edits-dashcam-video-n396291 . live .
  22. News: Barned-Smith. St. John. Binkovitz. Leah. Dash cam in Bland case shows escalating confrontation. March 29, 2017. Houston Chronicle. July 21, 2015. February 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085240/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Dash-cam-in-Bland-case-shows-escalating-6398428.php?t=e822d930be. live.
  23. News: Sandra Bland arrest video released by Texas officials . July 22, 2015 . BBC News . July 22, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085351/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33613783 . live .
  24. News: Sandra Bland Death: Officials Say Glitch, Not Editing, Caused Video Irregularities . . July 22, 2015 . July 22, 2015 . John . Yang . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085338/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sandra-bland-death-officials-say-glitch-not-editing-caused-video-n396461 . live .
  25. News: Officials Blame Technical Glitch For Loops In Dashcam Video Of Sandra Bland Arrest . July 22, 2015 . July 23, 2015 . WBBM-TV . Chicago, Illinois . https://web.archive.org/web/20150722200430/http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/07/22/officials-blame-technical-glitch-for-loops-in-dashcam-video-of-sandra-bland-arrest/ . July 22, 2015 . live . mdy .
  26. News: Calvin . Amy . Schuppe . Jon . Sandra Bland's Family's Lawyer Details Dashcam Video of Traffic Stop . July 21, 2015 . NBC News . July 20, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085332/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sandra-bland-familys-lawyer-details-dashcam-footage-her-arrest-n395126 . live .
  27. News: Yan. Holly. Ford. Dana. Sandra Bland's family 'infuriated' at video of her arrest. July 23, 2015. CNN. July 23, 2015. February 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085336/https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/22/us/texas-sandra-bland-arrest/index.html. live.
  28. News: Video rekindles debate about police treatment of blacks . July 23, 2015 . July 27, 2015 . The Blade . Associated Press . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085259/https://www.toledoblade.com/Police-Fire/2015/07/23/Video-rekindles-debate-about-police-treatment-of-blacks.html . live .
  29. News: Ryan . Grim . The Transcript Of Sandra Bland's Arrest Is As Revealing As The Video . July 23, 2015 . July 30, 2015 . The Huffington Post . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085254/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sandra-bland-arrest-transcript_n_55b03a88e4b0a9b94853b1f1 . live .
  30. News: Abby . Ohlheiser . Abby . Phillip . 'I will light you up!': Texas officer threatened Sandra Bland with Taser during traffic stop . July 22, 2015 . The Washington Post . July 22, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085318/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/21/much-too-early-to-call-jail-cell-hanging-death-of-sandra-bland-suicide-da-says/ . live.
  31. News: Michael . Graczyk . Jason . Keyser . Sandra Bland was incredulous, aggravated in calls from jail: report . July 23, 2015 . Associated Press . CTV News . July 23, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085255/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/no-evidence-of-homicide-in-autopsy-of-woman-who-died-in-texas-cell-prosecutor-1.2483490 . live .
  32. News: Ward . Clifford . Failure to be bonded out led Sandra Bland to suicide, jail officials allege . December 22, 2015 . Chicago Tribune . November 12, 2015.
  33. News: Sanchez . Ray . What we know about the controversy in Sandra Bland's death . July 23, 2015 . CNN . July 22, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085252/https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/21/us/texas-sandra-bland-jail-death-explain/index.html . live.
  34. News: Michael . Graczyk . New jail footage shows Sandra Bland 'alive and well' (+video) . July 28, 2015 . July 29, 2015 . The Christian Science Monitor . Associated Press . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085300/https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0728/New-jail-footage-shows-Sandra-Bland-alive-and-well . live .
  35. News: Sandra Bland 'distraught,' neighboring inmate says . July 23, 2015 . ABC News . July 23, 2015 . July 24, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150724071709/http://abc7chicago.com/news/sandra-bland-distraught-neighboring-inmate-says/874337/. live.
  36. News: Texas authorities release jailhouse video amid controversy over woman's death . July 21, 2015 . Associated Press . Fox News . July 21, 2015.
  37. News: Hennessy-Fiske . Molly . Texas town at center of storm over young black woman's death in jail cell . July 21, 2015 . Los Angeles Times . July 21, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085341/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-officials-release-video-in-texas-jail-hanging-case-20150720-story.html#page=1 . live .
  38. News: Rogers . Katie . The Death of Sandra Bland: Questions and Answers . July 23, 2015 . The New York Times . July 23, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085345/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/23/us/23blandlisty.html?smid=pl-share . live .
  39. News: Harris County Medical Examiner. Autopsy Report on the Body of Sandra Annette Bland. July 25, 2015. ABC News. July 14, 2015. February 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085225/http://dig.abclocal.go.com/ktrk/PICS/JULY15/072415-autopsy.pdf. live.
  40. News: Katie . Rogers . Sandra Bland's Autopsy Details How She Died . July 24, 2015 . July 25, 2015 . The New York Times . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085413/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/us/sandra-blands-autopsy-details-how-she-died.html?smid=pl-share . live .
  41. News: Botelho . Greg . Officials detail Sandra Bland autopsy findings . July 23, 2015 . CNN . July 23, 2015 . November 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114220140/https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/23/us/sandra-bland-arrest-death-main/ . live.
  42. News: Michael . Graczyk . Jamie . Stengle . Experts: Report shows Sandra Bland may have used pot in jail . July 28, 2015 . July 28, 2015 . The Seattle Times . Associated Press . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085309/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/experts-report-shows-sandra-bland-may-have-used-pot-in-jail/ . live .
  43. News: Phil . Archer . Independent review coming in Sandra Bland's death; toxicology report released . July 27, 2015 . July 28, 2015 . KPRC-TV . Houston, Texas . July 27, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150727202226/http://www.click2houston.com/news/da-to-introduce-lawyers-of-independent-commission-investigating-sandra-bland-death/34377476 . dead .
  44. News: Binkovitz . Leah . Fraser . Jayme . 2015-07-31 . Hard to draw conclusions about pot in Bland's blood, experts say . Houston Chronicle . live . 2023-08-01 . https://archive.today/20230801121547/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Hard-to-draw-conclusions-about-pot-in-Bland-s-6418565.php . 2023-08-01.
  45. News: Sandra Bland funeral in Illinois draws hundreds . BBC news . July 25, 2015 . July 26, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085425/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33666269 . live .
  46. News: Graham . David . Sandra Bland and the Long History of Racism in Waller County, Texas . July 21, 2015 . The Atlantic . July 21, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085300/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/sandra-bland-waller-county-racism/398975/ . live .
  47. News: Michael . Graczyk . Texas Officials Release Surveillance Footage In Jail Death Of Sandra Bland . July 20, 2015 . July 28, 2015 . The Huffington Post . Associated Press . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085341/https://www.huffpost.com/?err_code=404&err_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2015%2F07%2F20%2Fsandra-bland-jail-death_n_7837516.html . live .
  48. News: Rogers . Katie . F.B.I. Investigating Police Accounts of Black Woman's Death in Custody . July 21, 2015 . The New York Times . July 16, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085304/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/17/nytnow/online-campaign-questions-official-account-of-sandra-bland-death.html?smid=pl-share . live .
  49. News: Lewis . Renee . Protesters demand answers in Sandra Bland's death in Texas jail . July 21, 2015 . Al Jazeera . July 17, 2015 . July 20, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150720215452/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/7/17/protesters-demand-answers-on-death-of-sandra-bland.html . live .
  50. News: Dart . Tom . 'What happened to Sandy?': protesters tie Sandra Bland case to US race tensions . July 21, 2015 . The Guardian . July 17, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085403/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/17/sandra-bland-texas-protest-racial-tensions . live .
  51. News: At least 981 Black Lives Matter demonstrations have been held in the last 376 days . Elephrame . July 30, 2015.
  52. News: Damon . Andre . Texas prison death highlights police violence in America . July 21, 2015 . World Socialist Web Site . July 18, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085402/https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/07/18/poli-j18.html . live .
  53. News: Eric . Zorn . Why, yes, Sandra Bland was 'irritated' . July 24, 2015 . July 30, 2015 . Chicago Tribune . https://web.archive.org/web/20150730122623/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-bland-encinia-texas-suicide-zorn-perspec-0726-20150724-column.html . July 30, 2015 . live . mdy .
  54. News: Meg . Wagner . Armed Black Panthers protest in front of Texas jail where Sandra Bland died: 'Oink, oink! Bang, bang!' . New York Daily News . August 13, 2015 . August 13, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085343/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/armed-black-panthers-protest-sandra-bland-death-article-1.2324234 . live .
  55. News: Alice . Barr . City council votes to keep Sandra Bland Parkway . September 22, 2015 . September 27, 2015 . KHOU-TV . Houston, Texas . https://web.archive.org/web/20150927072022/http://www.khou.com/story/news/local/2015/09/22/city-council-votes-keep-sandra-bland-parkway/72655080/ . September 27, 2015 . dead .
  56. News: Ross . Janell . Nine grieving mothers came to the Democratic National Convention stage . The Washington Post . July 26, 2016 . July 28, 2016 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085356/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/26/nine-grieving-mothers-came-to-the-democratic-national-convention-stage/ . live .
  57. News: Women's March Highlights as Huge Crowds Protest Trump: 'We're Not Going Away' . Hartocollis . Anemona . January 21, 2017 . The New York Times . February 7, 2017 . Alcindor . Yamiche . January 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170121114906/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/21/us/womens-march.html . live .
  58. News: Keneally . Meghan . Sandra Bland's Death Probe Being Treated Like a Murder Investigation, DA Says . July 21, 2015 . ABC News . July 20, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085346/https://abcnews.go.com/US/sandra-bland-supporters-call-independent-investigation/story?id=32572897 . live .
  59. News: Burnside . Tina . Berlinger . Joshua . Trooper who arrested Sandra Bland formally fired . March 4, 2016 . CNN . March 3, 2016 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085319/https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/03/us/sandra-bland-officer-fired/index.html . live .
  60. News: Mathis-Lilley . Ben . Sheriff in Sandra Bland Case Was Fired in 2008 After Racism, Brutality Allegations . July 27, 2015 . The Slate . July 16, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085407/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2015/07/sandra-bland-sheriff-fired-racism-allegations-sheriff-glenn-smith-accused-of-abuse-in-previous-job.html . live .
  61. News: Eriksen . Helen . Hempstead police chief accused of racism . July 27, 2015 . Houston Chronicle . February 20, 2007 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085344/https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Hempstead-police-chief-accused-of-racism-1806018.php . live .
  62. News: Montgomery . David . Sandra Bland Death May Lead to Disciplinary Action, Sheriff Says . July 27, 2015 . . July 25, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085304/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/us/sandra-bland-death-may-lead-to-disciplinary-action-sheriff-says.html?smid=pl-share . live .
  63. News: Barned-Smith. St. John. Officials: Sandra Bland spoke of previous suicide attempt. March 29, 2017. Houston Chronicle. July 22, 2015. February 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085351/https://www.chron.com/houston/article/Sandra-Bland-dash-cam-video-appears-to-have-been-6399017.php. live.
  64. News: Sharon . LaFraniere . Richard A. . Oppel Jr. . David . Montgomery . Texas County's Racial Past Is Seen as Prelude to Sandra Bland's Death . July 27, 2015 . The New York Times . July 26, 2015 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085313/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/us/racial-divide-persists-in-texas-county-where-sandra-bland-died.html?smid=pl-share . live .
  65. News: Death of Waller County inmate raises issues from Sandra Bland case . Lewis . Brooke A. . June 30, 2019 . Houston Chronicle . 2019-11-17 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085423/https://www.chron.com/houston/article/Inmate-dies-by-hanging-at-Waller-County-Jail-13574682.php . live .
  66. News: Street Where Sandra Bland Was Arrested Renamed In Her Honor . NPR . October 16, 2017 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085315/https://www.npr.org/2015/08/27/435273211/street-where-sandra-bland-was-arrested-renamed-in-her-honor . live .
  67. News: New Doubts About Official Version Of Sandra Bland's Death . McLaughlin . Michael . March 11, 2016 . The Huffington Post . https://web.archive.org/web/20160312060005/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-doubts-sandra-bland-death_us_56e30bf1e4b065e2e3d5d601 . March 12, 2016 . March 15, 2016.
  68. News: Bradner . Eric . Scott . Eugene . 'Mothers of the Movement' makes case for Hillary Clinton . . July 26, 2016 . January 28, 2017 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085323/https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/26/politics/mothers-movement-dnc-hillary-clinton/index.html . live .
  69. News: Dunham . Lena . Women of the Hour: 'Trauma and Triumph,' Season 2, Episode 4. Lena sits down with Geneva Reed-Veal to discuss the legacy of her daughter, Sandra Bland . . December 8, 2016 . Podcast . January 28, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170202061154/http://www.lennyletter.com/relationships/a644/women-of-the-hour-trauma-and-triumph-season-2-episode-4/ . February 2, 2017 . dead . mdy-all .
  70. News: With 'Talking to Strangers,' Malcolm Gladwell Goes Dark. Chozick. Amy. 2019-08-30. The New York Times. 2019-08-30. en-US. 0362-4331. February 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085403/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/30/business/malcolm-gladwell-talking-to-strangers.html. live.
  71. News: Mitch . Smith . Grand Jury Declines to Indict Anyone in Death of Sandra Bland . December 21, 2015 . December 22, 2015 . The New York Times . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085412/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/22/us/grand-jury-finds-no-felony-committed-by-jailers-in-death-of-sandra-bland.html?smid=pl-share . live .
  72. News: Mitch . Smith . Sandra Bland's Family Calls for Criminal Charges Against Texas Trooper . December 22, 2015 . December 23, 2015 . The New York Times . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085344/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/23/us/sandra-blands-family-calls-for-criminal-charges-against-texas-trooper.html?smid=pl-share . live .
  73. News: David . Montgomery . Texas Trooper Who Arrested Sandra Bland Is Indicted on Perjury Charge . January 6, 2016 . January 6, 2016 . The New York Times . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085352/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/07/us/texas-grand-jury-sandra-bland.html?smid=pl-share . live .
  74. News: The Latest: Trooper charged in Bland case to appeal firing . January 7, 2016 . February 8, 2016 . Associated Press . March 6, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306052614/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/df77a9508e664d66ae550199d7f53e0e/latest-mother-sandra-bland-says-charges-not-enough . live .
  75. News: . June 28, 2017 . Gabrielle . Banks . Perjury charge dropped against Texas trooper who stopped Sandra Bland . November 27, 2018 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085357/https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Perjury-charge-dropped-against-Texas-cop-who-11253810.php . live .
  76. News: Manny . Fernandez . David . Montgomery . Perjury Charge Dropped Against Ex-Trooper in Sandra Bland Case . June 28, 2017 . June 29, 2017 . . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085305/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/28/us/sandra-bland-death-brian-encinia-texas-texas.html . live .
  77. News: Trial date set in Sandra Bland wrongful-death lawsuit . December 17, 2015 . December 23, 2015 . Chicago Tribune . Associated Press .
  78. News: Carma . Hassan . Holly . Yan . Max . Blau . Sandra Bland's family settles for $1.9M in wrongful death suit . September 15, 2016 . September 15, 2016 . CNN . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085408/https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/15/us/sandra-bland-wrongful-death-settlement/index.html . live .
  79. News: Texas Gov. Abbott signs "Sandra Bland Act" into law . Silver . Jonathan . June 15, 2017 . The Texas Tribune . December 3, 2018 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085402/https://www.texastribune.org/2017/06/15/texas-gov-greg-abbott-signs-sandra-bland-act-law/ . live .
  80. Web site: Senate Bill 1849 . n.d. . Texas State Legislature . December 3, 2018 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085239/https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/SB01849I.pdf . live .
  81. Web site: Sones de México Ensemble: Mexican American Music & Dance from Chicago . Library of Congress . September 9, 2015 . 32:20 . 2019-03-04 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085409/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TVGPlfl8-4 . live.
  82. News: Sandra Bland: behind a poignant documentary of her life and death . The Guardian . Jamiles . Lartey . December 3, 2018 . 2019-03-04.
  83. Web site: Gompertz . Will . Will Gompertz . Jennifer Packer: Will Gompertz reviews the artist's show at the Serpentine Gallery . 5 December 2020 . . 5 December 2020 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210085317/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55181949 . live.

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