Sandra Bland dash cam video just released.

[Lee-Lee]

79. I've spoken here about people taking a simple offense and making it worse

This tape is an almost textbook example.

He conducted the stop politely and professionally as she grew increasingly agitated. It appears when he went back to the car he we just going to issue a warning and send her on her way.

She refused his direction to put out the cigarette and became argumentative at that point. It was a legal request for the officer to make. I never let someone I was dealing with smoke during our interactions, traffic stop or otherwise- it makes it harder for me to keep on eye on their hand movements, a lit cigarette can be a danger of injury or fire, and I don't need secondhand smoke exposure as another risk on the job.

She then refused his direction to exit the car- a perfectly legal command to give at a traffic stop. And if someone is refusing a simpler direction a reasonable and wise action from the officer.

It all went downhill from there.

As soon as she refused to exit the vehicle she ensured that this was going to escalate beyond just getting a ticket for failure to signal.

I mentioned in a post just a few days ago how not knowing the law makes people make stupid choices. She evidently thought she didn't have to exit the vehicle or follow the officers commands at a traffic stop, that led to her making stupid choices like arguing with the officer and being noncompliant, that escalated things.

Not knowing the law, and being an ass to the officer when presented with legal commands turned what would have probably been a warning into a trip to jail.