Timeline Emerges in Sandra Bland's Jail Cell Death

Bland left alone for 90 minutes before she was found dead: cop
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 21, 2015 6:40 AM CDT
Timeline Emerges in Sandra Bland's Jail Cell Death
In this July 13, 2015, frame taken from video provided by the Waller County Sheriff's Office from a motion-operated camera, emergency personnel carry a gurney near Sandra Bland's jail cell.   (Waller County Sheriff's Office via AP)

"What happened to Sandy Bland?" read a sign held by a woman camped out yesterday outside the building where the 28-year-old was found dead on July 13. There is still no answer, but there are more details: A timeline of Bland's final hours before she was found dead of an apparent hanging has been shared. Capt. Brian Cantrell of the Waller County Sheriff's Office says Bland refused a breakfast tray at 6:30am on the day in question, per the New York Times. She told a jailer at 7am, "I'm fine" and later asked about making a call from the phone in her cell. She was told she could using a PIN number, but records show no call was made, per ABC News. For the next 90 minutes, a motion-activated jailhouse camera, which doesn't actually show Bland's cell, displays no movement in the hallway leading in that direction.

Then, shortly after 9am, it catches the reaction of a female jailer who went to check on Bland, NBC Chicago reports. She called in medical personnel, who reportedly performed CPR. Cantrell says Bland used a plastic bag liner from a trash bin in her cell as a noose; all trash bag liners, which had been OKed by an inspector, have now been removed from cells. He adds she was kept in a cell alone because she was considered a "high risk" inmate due to the charge against her (assaulting a public servant). The Waller County DA says the investigation is "being treated just as it would be a murder investigation" and notes the case will likely be forwarded to a grand jury, perhaps next month. Video hard drives have been turned over to the FBI, who will search for any signs of manipulation. (Her family's lawyer says Bland was arrested after she refused to put out a cigarette; dashcam video may be released today.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X