Family statement
Bland’s family issues a statement about their suit, saying it was a last resort after being unable to get enough information about the case.
The bottom line is she never should have been inside the jail cell. Period. [She] knew enough about Jesus that she wouldn’t hang herself, and her feelings as a mother say her daughter didn’t. But anything is possible. Now I’m the first one to tell you, if the facts … show without a doubt that that was the case, I’ll have to be prepared to deal with that.
Jail releases video
Texas authorities release several hours of video footage of Bland during her three days in jail to address conspiracy theories that she was dead before arriving there, and threats to personnel. Judge Duhon says the FBI is investigating the most serious threats. The first portions of footage show Bland being taken out of a patrol car at the jail and questioned by a jailer. She’s then briefly placed in a holding cell before her mugshot is taken and she makes a phone call. Duhon:
Sandra Bland was alive and well [until she was found hanging in her cell]…Because of some of the things that’s gone out on social media, this county has been literally attacked.
Outside attorneys to aid death probe
The Waller County prosecutor investigating Bland’s death says outside attorneys will help with the probe, which likely will go to a county grand jury in August. A former prosecutor and a defense attorney, and a Houston attorney will lead a review committee in asking the “hard questions.” Prosecutor:
There are many lingering questions regarding the death of Sandra Bland.
Perry: Bland death did not follow protocol
Perry says that it is clear that the trooper involved did not follow protocol:
Well, obviously, I don’t think they followed protocol. I think that has been from the very early viewing of that camera that there was not proper protocol followed there. And this is going to be investigated, as it should. And transparency is really important in this process. So that all the citizens of the state of Texas know that this has been appropriately investigated, and if it’s found that the individuals made errors, then that that needs to be addressed and addressed in appropriate way
Speaks about Bland’s death
Lynch says Bland’s in-custody death in Texas and the dash-cam video of her arrest underscore long-held fears many black Americans have about interactions with police:
We have a situation where many minority communities for so long have felt that law enforcement was coming in essentially to enforce laws against them, not to protect them. I do think that what has been a important part of the debate in Bland’s death has been the discussions that we’ve seen from community members and police leaders alike…about the importance of training and deescalating incidents.
Sister, attorney make statement
Bland’s sister, Sharon Cooper, and the family attorney respond to Waller County’s statements. Cooper:
We still feel very misinformed. Although we have asked time and time again.
Cooper says Bland should be remembered as:
someone who was unapologetically confident — and that’s OK in today’s world — somebody who was assertive, and somebody who truly stood for what she believed in.
Sister: ‘Unfathomable’
Bland’s sister says:
Based on the Sandy I knew, this is unfathomable to me. People who knew her, truly knew her, the depth of her, that’s unfathomable right now.
DA initates murder investigation
A district attorney says Bland’s death is being treated like a murder investigation. The Texas Rangers and the FBI are investigating her death.
It is very much too early to make any kind of determination that this was a suicide or a murder because the investigations are not complete. This is being treated like a murder investigation.