Thursday, 23 July 2015

Sandra Bland's autopsy shows no sign of violent homicide, prosecutor says

 
An autopsy performed by authorities in Texas found that Sandra Bland committed suicide, according to prosecutors.
The autopsy report, which has not been released to the public, indicates the cause of death was hanging.
"The evidence that we've reviewed up to this point supports those findings," Waller County Assistant Dist. Atty. Warren Diepraam told reporters Thursday.
"In a violent homicide or a murder, where one person takes another person's life, it is typical ... to see some sort of injuries on the person's hands," he said.

No such injuries were found on Bland's hands, he said, and there were no signs of injuries to her inner eyelids or the lining of her mouth, other possible indicators of a violent struggle, Diepraam said.
Despite previous reports that a second autopsy had been ordered, Dist. Atty. Elton Mathis said, "We have not asked for, nor do we intend to ask for, a second autopsy."

In an email to The Times, Diepraam said Mathis had requested that the “body be preserved for possible forensic testing” after toxicology results indicated marijuana was present in Bland's blood.

Investigators have requested additional drug screening and asked the family not to destroy the body by cremation until the testing is completed, he said.
At the news conference Thursday, however, Diepraam said that forensic investigators now believe they have enough tissue to conduct the additional tests.
The autopsy also found about 30 cuts on Bland’s left wrist, Diepraam said, adding that they were “in a state of healing and scabbing” and may have been inflicted about two to four weeks before she was jailed.

Her family and supporters have repeatedly rejected official comments that Bland committed suicide in her cell on July 13, three days after she was arrested by Trooper Brian T. Encinia. Authorities said the 28-year-old black woman hanged herself with a trash bag. 

Much of the attention in recent days has focused on the emotional and physical state of the woman. Her family and friends have insisted that Bland was upbeat about getting a new job in Prairie View and never would have taken her own life.
“I’m in my car. Why do I have to put out my cigarette?” Bland answered.
“Well, you can step on out now,” Encinia responded.

Bland refused, saying she did not have to step out of the car.
Encinia opened the driver’s door and tried to physically remove Bland from the vehicle.
“I’m going to yank you out of here,” Encinia said as the two struggled. “I’m going to drag you out of here.”
“Don’t touch me; I’m not under arrest,” Bland said.
“I will light you up!” Encinia said, while pointing a stun gun at Bland.

Much of the subsequent confrontation occurs outside the view of the dash-cam, but the audio captures what sounded like a struggle. Bland is heard saying that the officer “just slammed my head to the ground.”

Later, when a female officer arrives at the scene, Encinia says Bland “started yanking away, then kicked me, so I took her straight to the ground.” In his arrest affidavit, Encinia says he had pain in his right leg and suffered small cuts to his right hand.

Bland was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a public servant, a felony charge. She was taken to the Waller County jail and was held in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Los Angeles Times


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