# Sandra Bland video **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 22, 2015, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859 "2015-07-22T05:50:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/341 "2015-07-23T09:26:56Z")
Sorry, forgot this bit: > [@](#): > > Cutting the body down… > > When the investigator is first called to the scene, he should first advise those at the scene to not cut the body down unless there is a chance of resuscitating the victim. **There is no chance unless the victim was found within four minutes of hanging.** Before cutting the body down, first take pictures. The medical examiner and coroner should be notified to see if they want to come. Diagrams and measurements of articles on the floor nearby should be taken. Look for drag marks on the floor, unexplained footprints, and things disturbed beyond the immediate vicinity of the body. At this point, I don’t feel confident we will ever know what really happened. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/342 "2015-07-23T09:35:01Z")
> [@camille](#): > > Do you have a cite about her going through a stop sign? Watch the _beginning_ of this video. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/86SR84lRMAc/hqdefault.jpg "The REAL reason Sandra Bland changed lanes in the first place") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86SR84lRMAc&t=20) Its clear to me why the officer turned and followed her. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/343 "2015-07-23T09:43:13Z")
Well, that explains why she was so pissed. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/344 "2015-07-23T09:45:56Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > [S]he talked her way into that cell. Really? Because everything I’ve read say the police put her there. ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/345 "2015-07-23T11:21:09Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Watch the _beginning_ of this video. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=20&v=86SR84lRMAc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=20&v=86SR84lRMAc) > > Its clear to me why the officer turned and followed her. Yes, I saw the video. But as I said, the cop never said anything about it. He was giving her a warning citation for failure to signal. It seems odd to me that passing a stop sign wasn’t mentioned to her at all. It might have made a difference in how she reacted. People expect to be stopped if caught going through a stop sign. Not signaling is so common where I live that if people were being stopped for it with any regularity, over half the city would be in jail or shot by now. Sandra Bland’s supposed “attitude” was nothing compared to how most people here would react. I’m not sure they even know it’s a requirement and not just an optional courtesy. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/346 "2015-07-23T11:23:16Z")
I think the earlier video shows he was on her ass and explains why she was so pissed when he pulled her over. I’m not really in line with this idea that you should scream in the cop’s face and don’t have to put out your cigarette because THE CONSTITUTION! I mean, you break a traffic law, you take the ticket. But that is not what happened here. He was on her ass and she was justifiably pissed. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/347 "2015-07-23T11:26:34Z")
Is suicide by plastic bag a thing? Have there been other cases? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/348 "2015-07-23T11:33:35Z")
We can’t use the jailhouse video to prove suicide. We don’t see her. For all we know, these possibilities are out there:’ 1- She died of a brain injury suffered when she was brutally assaulted by that vicious thug cop. Or perhaps she was assaulted in jail. So when she was discovered, they rigged a plastic bag into a rope and strung her up. 2- She was strangled by jail staff and strung up to pass for suicide. We can’t prove or disprove either of these without a proper autopsy. The first may have been shoddily done due to incompetence or an attempt to fit the desired narrative. They need to do a second one by someone with impeccable credentials and impartiality. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/349 "2015-07-23T11:34:35Z")
> [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](#): > > Is suicide by plastic bag a thing? Have there been other cases? I think it’s pretty common among suicides of very old or terminally ill people. But commonness is not proof one way or the other about anything. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/350 "2015-07-23T11:35:37Z")
The amount of conviction by speculation is astounding. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/351 "2015-07-23T12:18:33Z")
The state of Texas says the reports that they’d ordered another autopsy are fake. However, they have requested that the body be preserved due to toxicology tests [indicating she had marijuana in her system when she died.](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sandra-bland-texas-jail-cell-death-apparent-voicemail-reveals-frustration/) ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/352 "2015-07-23T12:29:14Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The state of Texas says the reports that they’d ordered another autopsy are fake. > > However, they have requested that the body be preserved due to toxicology tests [indicating she had marijuana in her system when she died.](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sandra-bland-texas-jail-cell-death-apparent-voicemail-reveals-frustration/) OMG Reefer Madness! The significance of this is what, exactly? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/353 "2015-07-23T12:33:59Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Is it possible that yanking her out of the car was, in essence, an illegal arrest, and therefore it’s reasonable to resist an illegal attempt at an arrest? I don’t know if that’s correct legally, but I think that’s what she’s saying. As I have already cited, under Texas law, the claim of illegality of an arrest is no defense to the crime of resisting arrest. In other clear and unambiguous words: no. It is not legal to resist arrest in Texas, EVEN IF THE ARREST IS NOT LEGAL. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/354 "2015-07-23T12:42:22Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Why do you ask this about him, but not her? > > It’s legal for a citizen to express outrage over conduct that makes them unhappy, without being penalized by the State. The 1st amendment affords us this right. Being a loudmouth bitch with an attitude is a constitutionally protected activity. Yup, even if you’re a black loudmouth bitch. > > A cop, as an agent of the State, has to respect the Constitution while executing his duties or risk losing his badge. Which means he is held to a completely different standard than a non-cop. The problem with your analysis is that it falls short of harmonizing Texas law with the First Amendment. You’re correct that that the First Amendment protects the right to be a loudmouth bitch, even during a traffic stop. However, it does not immunize you from roadside arrest. If you claim your arrest was predicated on First Amendment grounds, you must pursue that legal remedy in a courtroom, not the roadside. In other words, you cannot defend yourself, in Texas, against a charge of resisting arrest with a claiming that the arrest was an illegal pre-textual retaliatory attack against your protected First Amendment expression. Do you understand this? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/355 "2015-07-23T12:44:23Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Only one (major) problem with your data list. The last line should read, “_Bad cop_ begins mouthing off.” “Would you mind putting out your cigarette, please” is not mouthing off, IMO. > [@](#): > > WTF difference does it make if she is smoking in her car? Is that enough reason to order her out of the car, taze, or arrest her? No, smoking isn’t enough reason. In Texas, however, a minor traffic offense is enough reason to arrest someone, at the officer’s discretion. It is also enough reason to order her out of the car, and refusing to step out of the car and resisting is enough reason to arrest her. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/356 "2015-07-23T12:53:38Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Only one (major) problem with your data list. The last line should read, “_Bad cop_ begins mouthing off.” Show of hands for everyone who thinks the cop was truly concerned with Bland’s or the community’s health or safety when he asked (my paraphrase) “are you all right?” and commented that she “looked irritated.” I’m not sure there is a real world explanation other than that he was either: A - trying to bait her into responding inappropriately, allowing him to escalate the situation; or B - exercising an ego trip. What he clearly DIDN’T want, was her (IMO) pretty literate and measured responses to his question/observation. Made me remember a story my BIL told me about a speeding ticket he received. After the cop handed him the ticket he observed, “I see that you have your seat belt fastened. Keep doing so.” Thanks, occifer! And should I keep not beating my wife while I’m at it? Misuse of power is a nasty thing. Yet another datapoint of why I tend to oppose so much caselaw holding that consents to many types of searches are given voluntarily. Of course, that the cop was a dick does not mean that he killed her - unless you extend some dubious probable cause analysis - “but for the cop acting like a dick, she would not have been in the cell…” Another note - a lot of folk comment on the stop sign, but the cop didn’t say that is why he stopped her. Of course cops are not required to be truthful in stops, but why didn’t he say “You rolled thru that stop sign.” Bland’s mistake was in being truthful - something the cop didn’t seem troubled to do himself. Another show of hands - who uses their turn signal when moving over to give the right of way to cops/ambulances/fire trucks? I’d be pissed too, if I was trying to show a cop a courtesy, and in response, got pulled over. Hope to remember this lesson, and keep my big mouth shut should I ever find myself in that position. “Yes sir” and “No sir” is pretty much the extent of the vocabulary I would hope to exercise. Any disagreements can be addressed later, after whatever expense, inconvenience, and unpleasantness the cop wishes to inflict. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/357 "2015-07-23T12:55:38Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > However, it does not immunize you from roadside arrest. If you claim your arrest was predicated on First Amendment grounds, you must pursue that legal remedy in a courtroom, not the roadside. > > In other words, you cannot defend yourself, in Texas, against a charge of resisting arrest with a claiming that the arrest was an illegal pre-textual retaliatory attack against your protected First Amendment expression. So, if you want to assert your rights the road to do this is through arrest and incarceration for several years? ---
**Author:** ![climbuponahilltop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c0e974/32.png) [@climbuponahilltop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/climbuponahilltop)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/358 "2015-07-23T12:56:51Z")
> [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](#): > > Is suicide by plastic bag a thing? Have there been other cases? > [@tnetennba](#): > > I think it’s pretty common among suicides of very old or terminally ill people. But commonness is not proof one way or the other about anything. I am unaware of any other hanging deaths by plastic bag, but suffocating oneself by placing a plastic bag over one’s head is commonish, which is another reason it’s so bizarre to me to have that garbage can setup in a jail cell. > [@Terr](#): > > According to some “witnesses”, he also dragged her out through the window of her car. Do you also have a problem with Encina’s untruthful account of events to his superior in the video? Does either his lying or his false memories make him a “witness” as well? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/359 "2015-07-23T13:05:05Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > So, if you want to assert your rights the road to do this is through arrest and incarceration for several years? Who in this case was incarcerated for several years? > [@Dinsdale](#): > > Show of hands for everyone who thinks the cop was truly concerned with Bland’s or the community’s health or safety when he asked (my paraphrase) “are you all right?” and commented that she “looked irritated.” So if the cop starts by saying “Good morning”, he doesn’t _really_ want you to have a good morning - he is trying to get you to resist arrest so that you will commit suicide later. > [@](#): > > Another show of hands - who uses their turn signal when moving over to give the right of way to cops/ambulances/fire trucks? _:raises hand:_ > [@](#): > > I’d be pissed too, if I was trying to show a cop a courtesy, and in response, got pulled over. Hope to remember this lesson, and keep my big mouth shut should I ever find myself in that position. “Yes sir” and “No sir” is pretty much the extent of the vocabulary I would hope to exercise. Any disagreements can be addressed later, after whatever expense, inconvenience, and unpleasantness the cop wishes to inflict. Nope, it is your Constitutional right to refuse to obey lawful orders, resist arrest, and assault the officer in question. Fight the power! Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/360 "2015-07-23T13:07:37Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Who in this case was incarcerated for several years? No one because the defendant died after three days. If she had lived how long do you think it would take her to assert her rights in court? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859.md?page=19)