Sandra Bland Arrest Video Wasn't Edited, Say Officials

Inconsistencies spotted in dashcam video came from upload glitch: DPS
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 22, 2015 6:14 AM CDT
Updated Jul 22, 2015 10:14 AM CDT

A rep for the Texas Department of Public Safety says the dashcam video of Sandra Bland's arrest "has not been edited" and that various inconsistencies are the result of a "technical issue during posting," reports the Texas Tribune and NBC News. The DPS earlier said it was investigating alleged edits. At the 25:05 mark of the video, for example, a tow truck driver walks toward Brian Encinia's cruiser, then walks away. He walks away again 15 seconds later, though Encinia speaks continuously, per NBC News. Then at the 32:37 mark, a white car vanishes from the camera's view. A white car appears in its place seconds later, though it's not clear if it's the same vehicle.

That same footage is repeated at 33:08, while the original white car reappears at 33:04 and 33:06 and disappears as before. Flashing lights on a tow truck are also cut out at that time, per BenNorton.com. The DPS rep says the video footage recorded during Encinia’s conversation was "affected in the upload and is being addressed." He adds the footage was handed over to the FBI earlier "to eliminate any concerns as to the efficacy of the video." The Los Angeles Times reports the video's audio finishes more than a minute before the images. Movie director Ava DuVernay has weighed in on Twitter, noting, "I edit footage for a living. But anyone can see that this official video has been cut." (More Sandra Bland stories.)

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