This Was Not Murder – Ranting Rex

I’m not sure this article is going to make my liberal readers very happy. However, I read an article today with the title “Why aren’t we universally outraged over Sandra Bland’s death as we are over Cecil the lion?” Well, for starters, I don’t think we are. I have not seen any study that claims to support that analysis. It’s just the latest story in the news cycle. I know I could care less about a lion being shot. However, neither did the lion shoot itself.

I have been reviewing the full video of Sandra Bland’s encounter with the officer in Texas, the video of her processing, and the subsequent removal of her body from the jail. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t jumping to conclusions on the issue like so many in the press and online. I don’t blame the family for wanting answers. It’s very difficult to deal with the death of a loved one, especially when it is so sudden. However, I don’t think there was a murder. Negligence for sure, but not murder.

When I watch the videos all I can think of is that she did nothing to help her cause. Most people would have sat their with their mouth shut, taken the warning, said thank you and drove on. Had that been the outcome we wouldn’t be discussing whether the police department was involved in her death. She made the personal choice to battle with an officer that at the onset was being very professional. It wasn’t until she became rude, that things got out of hand. You can review the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBh3wzXd3vg

From the moment he approaches the vehicle she is annoyed with the officer, and she had not the desire to be cordial in any way even though the officer was very cordial to her at the beginning of the stop. Things didn’t get out of hand until he asked her why she was so annoyed. Her responses seemed to irritate the officer and that is when the fight ensued. I’m not saying that the officer handled this well at all. He did not. However, like I said before, she did nothing to help her cause.

To me, Sandra Bland just comes off in the video as feeling she is entitled to be rude. If you think this is a racial bias on my part then you haven’t been reading my articles. I have plenty of white male friends who act the same way to the police and the outcome is very similar. They are either ticketed, or taken to jail for nothing more than being an asshole. You can argue that being an asshole isn’t a crime, but perhaps it should be. We have too many of them in the world.

Now, why does her family think she was murdered? Because it is difficult for loved ones to understand why someone would take their own life. That’s why. It used to be a common practice among coroners to state on a death certificate that someone was killed by an accidental shooting, or some reason other than suicide so they could spare the family from the pain and embarrassment that comes with such an event. At that point, what did it matter? They’re gone. I don’t blame the family for thinking there would be foul play. It helps them cope with the tragedy. But for the press and others to pile on to that group psychosis for profit or agenda is just cruel.

I think we should look at this from another perspective. This was a woman who was offered a job in a new community. She had every reason to be excited about that opportunity. Then she makes a decision to argue with a police officer and gets arrested. Part of the opportunity she received is to have a police background check. If she doesn’t pass, she doesn’t get the job. She is arrested for assault on a police officer. If you are a person prone to depression, and you see the opportunity you thought you had slipping away, while you sit alone in a jail cell, you’re going to be depressed. And if you are prone to suicide, you’re going to try and kill yourself, because you see no way out. This seems more plausible to me than a vast conspiracy between white and black police officers.

It is safe to say that the officer didn’t handle this professionally. It is also safe to say that neither he, nor the people at the jail killed this woman. After reviewing the facts we have found she had a history of depression, was under psychiatric treatment, and had scars from previous suicide attempts. There is also no physical evidence of any struggle on her body. However, that doesn’t mean the department isn’t liable for her death, they definitely are. It was not murder however, it was negligence.

When you are in jail the police are responsible for your safety. They obviously failed here. Had they been following proper procedure, this woman would be alive today. They did not do their jobs, and for that there should be a price. However, this was not murder. This was just a sad set of events that led to the death of an emotionally unstable individual.

Rex

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