Police State
Sandra Bland Mugshot: Was She Dead When It Was Taken?
The Sandra Bland Mugshot: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
by Tom Cleary, Heavy.com:
Rumors and conspiracy theories have circulated on Twitter and elsewhere on social media about the booking photo of Sandra Bland. The photo was released to the public after Bland’s death became a news story in Texas and in her home of Illinois, and many have raised questions about whether it was edited before it was released.
Bland was found dead on July 13 in a Waller County, Texas, jail cell, three days after she was arrested for assaulting a Texas state trooper following a traffic stop for failing to signal a lane change. A dashcam video of the arrest by Trooper Brian Encinia that showed apparent violations of procedure by the trooper and questions about how she died made her death a national news story.
Here’s what you need to know about her mugshot:
1. A Rumor Has Spread That Bland Was Already Dead When the Photo Was Taken
One rumor that began circulating on Twitter on Wednesday and Thursday, more than a week after she died. Those who are speculating that she is already dead say it appears she is not standing up for the photo.
Waller County officials said she was alive when the photo was taken and there has been no proof that the photo was doctored.
2. A Blurry Booking Photo Taken From the Side Has Also Raised Questions
To help clear up the rumors about the mugshot, journalists have asked for the photo taken from the side to be released at a higher quality. The only publicly available image showing her from the side is blurry and dark, and was released as part of the booking documents from her jail intake forms.
The new clearer image has not yet been released.
WATCH: Dascham Video of Sandra Bland Traffic Stop & Arrest
New video showing the traffic stop and arrest of Sandra Bland has been released by officials in Waller County, Texas, where Bland was found dead in a jail cell.
3. A Photoshopped Photo Has Circulated on Twitter Making it Seem Her Eyes Were Rolled Back
