Sandra Bland was arrested and found dead after being pulled over for a minor traffic violation. A video of her arrest was released by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on Tuesday, July 21. The footage is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
A petition for the DPS to release an unedited video began on Change.Org. The online petition which is entitled, "Release Un-Edited Dash Cam Video of Sandra Bland's Traffic Stop" was signed by 62 people. Matt Kick, a Dayton Ohio native, began the petition with the goal of gaining 100 electronic signatures.
"We the undersigned, petition the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Governor to release the un-edited dash cam video of Sandra Blands traffic stop," states the Change.Org petition.
The DPS was accused of editing the video, when viewers noticed that a car in the footage suddenly jumped to a different location. DPS spokesperson Tom Vinger stated that “the video has not been edited.” He added that the FBI will investigate “to ensure the integrity of the video.”
The 52-minute video was recorded by a dashboard camera on state trooper Brian Encinia’s vehicle. In the video, Encinia is seen stopping Bland for not signaling her car lights prior to changing lanes. He asks her to put out her cigarette, and when she refuses, his anger escalates.
“You mind putting out your cigarette please, if you don’t mind?” asks Encinia, while looking down at his clipboard and writing.
“I’m in my car. Why do I have to put out my cigarette?” says 28-year-old Bland.
“Well, you can step on out now,” responds Encinia as he tucks his pen into his shirt pocket.
“I don’t have to step out of my car,” responds Bland.
“Step out of the car,” states Bland, sternly as he puts down his clipboard on the hood of Bland’s vehicle. Encinia opens the car door and commands Bland to step out of her car. His right hand is placed on his hip, as he motions with his left hand for her to get out.
“So, you’re going to... threatening to drag me out of my own car?” asks Bland.
“Get out of the car!” yells Encinia, while pointing a taser at her.
“I will light you up! Get out!” screams Encinia.
“Wow,” says Bland, incredulously as she steps of her car. Encinia follows her, while pointing his taser at her. Encinia directs her to the sidewalk.
Vinger said that the DPS will repost the video and explained that the video was “affected in the upload and is being addressed.” Bland was arrested on Friday, July 10. Her bail was set at $5,000. She died in her prison cell at Waller County Jail in Hempstead, Texas on Monday, July 13.
Authorities at Waller County Jail said that she appeared to have hanged her self with a trash bag. Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis said that Bland’s death will be investigated as a homicide on Monday, July 20. She was about to begin a new job at Prairie View A&M University.
