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Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Activist’s Death Behind Bars Must Be Probed as Murder, Prosecutor Says

While the death of activist Sandra Bland in police custody was initially ruled a suicide, a Texas prosecutor has vowed to investigate it as thoroughly as a murder would be, as there are still many unanswered questions.

Bland, 28, was found dead inside her cell at Waller County Jail in Texas on July 13.  Police claim the civil rights activist hanged herself with a trash bag, but family, friends and supporters adamantly believe that foul play was involved.
The activist, outspoken on issues of race and police brutality, had just moved to Texas for a new job when she was pulled over by State Trooper Brian Encinia for allegedly failing to use her turn signal when changing lanes.  She was reportedly pulled out of the vehicle when she refused to put out her cigarette, as she was only being issued a written warning.
A bystander recorded a portion of the arrest with his smartphone, and video shows Bland alleging that the officer had slammed her head into the ground. The officer has since been placed on administrative leave for violating traffic stop procedures.

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