Outrage as Sandra Bland’s death in police custody declared suicide

The internet has erupted with anger this morning as the mystery surrounding a young Texan woman’s death continues

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by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

Sandra Bland was arrested during a routine traffic stop on the 10th July, with footage of the incident causing a public outcry over the way it was handled.

During the arrest, the Texan police officer can be heard threatening Sandra that he will 'light her up' or taser her if she doesn't comply. A crying and screaming Sandra repeatedly asks what she is being held for, before accusing the officer of slamming her head into the ground and warning him he's about to 'break her ribs'.

Three days later, the 28-year-old was found dead in her cell, with authorities reporting she had committed suicide.

Her family and friends have fought the news that Bland took her own life, with their lawyer saying: ‘Why is it that a 28-year-old woman who had received two job offers [would] take her own life? Why would she call her mom in excitement about those jobs and take her own life?’

Bland had reportedly spoken out about suffering from depression and PTSD in a Facebook post back in March, but her family confirmed she had never been officially diagnosed with the mental disorder.

During a medical questionnaire at the police station the night of her arrest, police claim Sandra admitted that she had felt depressed before, she was feeling that way at the moment, but she was not currently suicidal.

Sandra's mugshot from jail

The plot thickens further, as some have speculated over the arrest tape - where a police officer can be seen breaking protocol as he tries to get Sandra to leave her vehicle.

Sandra can be heard on the video complaining of pain after having her head ‘slammed’ into the ground by arresting officer Brian Encinia.

She can also be heard telling him she has epilepsy.

Others have suggested the dash cam footage, released on Tuesday initially and then a new version on Wednesday, could have been doctored - as it originally showed jumps and breaks in images.

Family attorney Cannon Lambert said: ‘We simply don’t know/ I’m not a forensic media examiner but now I know that we’re going to have to get one.’

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