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U.S. NEWSThursday 23 July 2015

Woman who died in cell mentioned previous suicide attempt

DAVID WARREN process that she had tried suicide attempt, while be- senting Bland’s family, Can- Authorities say she hanged
Associated Press to kill herself in the past, the ing asked a series of ques- non Lambert, said relatives herself using a plastic liner
DALLAS (AP) — A woman sheriff said Wednesday. tions posed to each person have “no evidence” that taken from a garbage can.
whose death in a Texas jail Sheriff Glenn Smith told The booked into the jail. He did she ever attempted suicide Her death comes after
has raised suspicions about Associated Press during a not provide further details or had been treated for nearly a year of height-
depression. ened national scrutiny of
Texas Sen. Royce West, center, speaks next to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, and Waller County It was not immediately police and their dealings
District Attorney Elton Mathis during a news conference, Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in Prairie View, clear why the department with black suspects, espe-
Texas, following a meeting regarding the investigation into the death of Sandra Bland. hadn’t previously disclosed cially those who have been
details of conversations killed by officers or die in
(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) with Bland, or whether they police custody.
were shared with other jail Smith said Wednesday that
the official conclusion that telephone interview that about the conversation. staff. It also wasn’t clear no one gained access to
she hanged herself told a Sandra Bland told a jailer Asked about Smith’s asser- whether Bland was on sui- the cell and contributed to
guard during the booking July 10 about a previous tion, the attorney repre- cide watch or otherwise Bland’s death.
specially monitored during “My obligation is to run this
her weekend incarcera- jail and keep everyone
tion. safe,” he said.
A second jailer also inter- Bland’s family has said she
viewed Bland, according was not despondent and
to the sheriff. The 28-year- was looking forward to
old black woman said she starting a new job. Lambert
was not depressed but said Wednesday that Bland
was upset about her arrest, had just bought groceries
which occurred following a and was ecstatic about
confrontation with a white her new job when she was
officer who had stopped pulled over.
her for a minor traffic viola- However, Bland posted
tion. a video to her Facebook
Smith says both jailers who page in March, saying she
spoke with Bland insisted was suffering from “a little
that she appeared fine bit of depression as well as
when being booked on a PTSD,” or post-traumatic
charge of assaulting a pub- stress disorder. At least one
lic servant. friend has said she was just
Bland’s body was found venting after a bad day.q
three days later in her cell.

Prosecutors say Holmes deserves death for Colorado shootings

SADIE GURMAN out parole. Prosecutor Rich the death penalty: That at defense on aggravating caused. But jurors will de-
Associated Press Orman made the case for least one aggravating fac- factors, jurors immediately cide sentences for only the
CENTENNIAL, Colorado (AP) death, showing jurors pho- tor was present in the mas- began deliberating wheth- 12 people he murdered;
— James Holmes should be tos of each person killed sacre. er prosecutors had made sentencing for the lesser
put to death for the Colo- and reading each person’s Jurors went home for the that part of the case be- convictions is set by law.
rado cinema shootings name. “The defendant day without deciding yond a reasonable doubt. Assuming jurors agree, the
because he deliberately killed, and you have con- whether prosecutors had Sentencing is expected to defense will lead the next
and cruelly killed 12 peo- victed him of killing, Jona- made that case. They will last a month, and could be phase, trying to show that
ple, including a 6-year-old than Blunt,” he began. resume deliberations Thurs- even more heart-wrench- mitigating factors make it
girl, prosecutors told jurors When he came to the day. ing and polarizing than the wrong to execute him. This
Wednesday. youngest, 6-year-old Ve- The jurors have the final say 11-week trial that resulted is where the personal val-
The same jurors who con- ronica Moser-Sullivan, he on Holmes’ sentence, but in convictions on murder, ues of each juror becomes
victed Holmes of murder reminded jurors that she they also have a major in- attempted murder and paramount. They must con-
and attempted murder “had four gunshot wounds fluence how the proceed- other crimes for his July 20, sider whether the extent of
last week — swiftly dismiss- to her little body.” ings unfold. After each 2012, attack. his mental problems should
ing his claim that he was The defense offered no phase of the process, they The attempted murder outweigh the lifelong suf-
legally insane during the counter-argument, effec- meet to decide whether convictions were for the fering Holmes caused by
attack — must now decide tively conceding that pros- they’ve heard enough to 58 people he wounded opening fire on the audi-
whether to sentence him to ecutors had met the first make a decision. And with and another 12 who were ence in a crowded Bat-
death or life in prison with- of several requirements for no counterpoint from the injured in the mayhem he man movie premiere.q