Video Of Sandra Bland Inside Texas Jail Released
(CBS) -- For the first time, we're seeing Sandra Bland inside the Texas jail where she was found dead July 13.
In the video, you can see Bland being brought in, booked, fingerprinted and photographed.
CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports the video was released in part to address theories about Bland's death, including one that she was dead when her mugshot was taken.
Authorities in Texas say the conspiracy theories have led to death threats against county personnel and threats against facilities including the jail where Bland died.
"Sandra Bland was alive and well during her time in the Waller County Jail up until Monday morning," said Waller County Judge Trey DuHon.
Duhon hopes releasing hours of jail surveillance video will prove that to anyone who ever doubted it.
"You've have people putting information out there that is trying to convince people that she was murdered and deceased before she came to the Waller County Jail," he said.
In the video we see Bland's arrival at the jail on June 10, and different moments from throughout her three days there, including Bland going into a bathroom to change out of her clothes into a jail jumpsuit.
"Again on social media there's been some very crazy speculation that Waller County Jail all inmate photos are taken in street close and so it was unusual for her mugshot to be taken in the orange jumpsuit," said Duhon. "That is incorrect."
You can then clearly see Bland walking around the booking desk to have her mugshot taken.
"She's been sleeping in the holding cell, and this is where the infamous mugshot is taken against the wall," Duhon said.
Bland is photographed first facing forward, then to each side.
"And again on social media there was speculation that these photos were taken intentionally dark to hide the fact that she was deceased," DuHon said.
As for why the video wasn't released earlier, Duhon says authorities originally thought the files couldn't be accessed, and found out just last night that they could.
