(Video: Texas Department of Public Safety). Police say Sandra Bland killed herself in jail. HEMPSTEAD, Texas (AP) A judge dismissed a misdemeanor perjury charge against a fired Texas state trooper Wednesday in a case arising from his 2015 arrest of Sandra Bland, a black woman who was later found dead in a county jail. He might be in the clear currently, but where is Brian Encinia now? A Texas grand jury decided not to hand down indictments against anyone connected to the death of Sandra Bland, including her arresting officer, Texas state trooper Brian Encinia. Brian Encinia given written counseling while a probationary trooper Texas officials say Encinia violated internal policies during traffic stop The boots of Texas Department of Public Safety. Blands mother Geneva Reed-Veal has become an outspoken advocate for police reform. Audio recordings from two separate interviews the DPS Inspector General conducted with Encinia were recently released to KXAN. Candidates who take her death seriously show me they take me seriously.. Menu. This recording raises new questions about Encinias account and the investigation that followed. Yes, her blood is in their hands.Police & prosecutors hid her cellphone video of her arrest for 4 years. Trooper Encinia responded with an inappropriate comment by saying good. Now.". 6 Things We Know About Brian Encinia, The Texas Trooper Who Arrested Sandra Bland. South Carolina officer Michael Slager was charged with murdering Walter Scottbut only after cell phone video from a bystander proved that cops had been lying about Scotts death for days. Where is he now? Source Austin American-Statesman. "He got a bogus charge. Corrections officers in upstate New York were caught lying about the circumstances of inmate Leonard Stricklands death in 2010. And even though we are seeing it live on the worldwide web, officers are not being held accountable.". The newly surfaced video begins when the trooper walks back . I also advised him to be mindful of comments that may come across as rude when he is dealing with the public. He told me it wouldnt be good for my career, Kelley told McLaughlin, adding that Assistant District Attorney Warren Diepraam also threatened to put him beneath the jail if he went public with his story. I still did have a concern for the area of her control that I didnt know what was there, but I do agree that things couldve been done differently, said Encinia, when asked if he could have de-escalated the situation by telling Bland she was only being given a warning for the traffic violation. Page Six reported Friday that the former president "now has a regular gig" as a DJ at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The post includes a pictureshowing Bland in an orange jumpsuit with her eyes rolled back into her head. When speaking with Trooper Encinia about this he said that he had no intentions of being rude. Six years after the highly publicizeddeath of Sandra Bland in police custody, social media users continue to circulate aconspiracy theorythat police took mugshots after Bland had already died. Create your free profile or log in to save this video. Oct. 13, 2016 Updated: Oct. 13, 2016 3:53 p.m. 21. Students Suffer. The reporter who had exposed the videos existence was later barred from a press conference with city leaders about the killing. Does Chauvin have a wife? . He said that because of this, "Force was used to subdue Bland to the ground, to which Bland continued to fight back.". It mandates county jails divert people with mental health and substance abuse issues toward treatment. NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- Video images of violent interactions between law enforcement and Black men and women stir painful memories for the family of Sandra Bland. Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner. I think things couldve been handled differently, yes sir. His attorney did not return our call. And when a grand jury was weighing an indictment against Enciniawho was eventually charged with perjury and fired from the Prairie View forceKelley wanted to testify to what hed seen and heard, but says the prosecutor would not let him. The traffic stop quickly escalated and Bland was arrested. Three days later, Bland was found dead in jail, of an apparent suicide. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Former San Antonio mayor Julin Castro weighed in as well: The recently released video Sandra Bland took of her own arrest provides the latest example of a police justification for the death of an unarmed black person being revealed as a flat out lie, he wrote. Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. AUSTIN (KXAN) Its dashcam footage that many will never forget and that sparked criticism around the country questioning police use of force. On July 10th, 2015, Sandra Bland was pulled over on the outskirts of Houston for failing to signal a lane change. Encinia had claimed in an affidavit that Bland was combative and uncooperative, which grand jurors determined to be untrue. Watch: Booneville holds on to beat Morton 34-30 in MHSAA 3A Semifinals Scorebook Live; Montana Ag Report 3-1-23 KTVQ Billings, MT; Pedestrian deaths on the rise nationwide If her video helps someone get there, all the better. In the preliminary review of the traffic stop that occurred in Prairie View on July 10, 2015, involving Sandra Bland, we have identified violations of the departments procedures regarding traffic stops and the departments courtesy policy. "Like, how many more? I think he knows what happened. As of recent reports, he is . Quick Facts: Where Is Brian Encinia Now? Police said Bland died by suicide in her jail cell . By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Lawyers for Blands family have argued that Encinia did not have grounds for the arrest and escalated the confrontation. Encinia pulled Bland over on July 10 for failing to use her traffic signal. Brian Encinia is considered as an ex-state trooper who was responsible for arresting Sandra Bland who was hanged three days after this arrest. Trayvon Martin. Needham said grassroots movements across the country pushing for police reform give her hope, but she continues to have lay-it-on-the-line conversations with her two sons about interacting with officers. There are petitions to get Bland's case reopened, including one with more than 1 million signatures. Amplifying Black voices through news that matters. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. New footage casts doubt on his . Sandra Bland's own video of traffic stop surfaces, Cellphone video recorded by Sandra Bland, a black woman found dead in a Texas jail following a 2015 traffic stop, shows for the first time her perspective as a white state trooper points his stun gun at her while ordering her out of her car. But when investigators asked why he didnt order Bland out of the car at that point or ask what she was doing, Encinia said he had no answer. Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement, visiting criminal law scholar at the University of Houston. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Dash cam video shows Encinia, who later claimed that he was attempting to safely conduct a traffic investigation, threatening to use his taser, saying that he was going to light up Bland. He pled guilty to drug and gun charges in 2016 and received a four-year prison sentence. Encinia's future seems up in the air, and as developments in the case proceed over the next few years, it's possible that he could still face criminal charges. has spoken our forcefully on this issue since she launched her campaign, she has been criticized for past positions related to addressing police brutality. I'm angry," Sandra Bland's sister, Shante Needham, told the I-Team. The claim that Bland was dead in her mugshot has proved popular on social media. + Brian Encinia. Nationwide tensions over the deathsof Black Americans in police custody particularly at traffic stopsandevidence that law enforcement officialsedited several segments from the dashcam videoalso heightened skepticism. Minnesota Derek Chauvin/Place of birth. Encinia had claimed in an affidavit that Bland was "combative and uncooperative," which grand jurors determined to be untrue. Orta was released in May 2020 and is under court supervision until January 2022. Maybe she fell when she was in handcuffs. Knowing he could not ticket Bland for failure to stop at the sign, Encinia went on to explain why he followed her. Pending the outcome of the Texas Ranger and FBI investigation into this incident, the employee involved has been assigned administrative duties. Brian Encinia Audio Interview after Bland Death (81 minutes), Brian Encinia Interview after Indictment (24 minutes). DPS fired him in 2016. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. (Designed by Jos Dennis/Community Impact Newspaper). A prosecutor can still go to trial if he or she believes that the evidence is strong enough to warrant one, and there will still be a grand jury regarding the events surrounding the arrest. They charged him with perjury. subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Press ESC to cancel. Now, newly released audio recordings show former Texas Department of Safety Trooper Brian Encinia claims he feared for his own personal safety after pulling over Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old black . pic.twitter.com/dmhlQAiELZ. Atlantic City Sergeant Mark Benjamin says he got a death threat after reporting officers for abuse of force. The confrontation ended with Encinia forcibly arresting Bland. Sandra Bland/Place of birth. Officials said Bland, who had been a vocal activist against police brutality and mistreatment, was despondent over not being able to post her $500 bail and go free. After Bland allegedly refused to put out her cigarette, Encinia ordered her out of the vehicle. Once in handcuffs and placed on the the ground, the violator stated that she has epilepsy. FACT CHECK: . In late July 2015,Waller County, Texas, officialsreleased several hours of video footage showing Bland walking around the jail and sitting for her mugshot. Prairie View, TX, police officer Michael Kelley says that a local prosecutor and police officials suppressed facts about Bland's initial arrest while investigating Brian Encinia, the man who actually cuffed and booked Bland. Although Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Cal.) Encinia was eventually charged, but only with perjury a decision that sparked further outrage. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. However, Melissa Hamilton, visiting criminal law scholar at the University of Houston, states the opposite. This article was published more than3 years ago. The second interview was done on Feb. 22, In a newly released DPS use of force report, Click here to read Sandra Bland Death Investigation, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, Texas House unveils economy, workforce priorities. Find Brian Encinia current Net worth as well as Salary, Bio, Age, Height and Quick Facts! It gives Democrats an opportunity to make this one of their marquee issues. Video of the traffic stop and Bland's death -- which the county coroner ultimately ruled suicide -- prompted investigations by the Texas Rangers and the FBI. For now, he remains employed by the . Waller County District Judge Albert . All we know is that he is not active on any social media platforms. Trayvon Martin. The hacker group Anonymous stoked the flames of conspiracywhen itreleased a video claiming law enforcement officials murdered Bland during the traffic stop and took mugshot photos of her body to cover their tracks. As for the former Texas state trooper who arrested Bland, the I-Team was unable to find current contact information for Brian Encinia. As part of the agreement, changes were made to procedures at the Texas jail and sensors were installed to ensure checks on detainees are accurately recorded. Now." After Bland asks why Encinia would "threaten to drag me out of my own car," he pulls out his Taser. The Texas Department of Public Safety laterfired Encinia for escalating the situation during the traffic stop. Here are the best, CMT Music Awards ticket presale starts Wednesday. In the audio recordings, Encinia said he became concerned by the way Bland was acting and her movements inside in her car as he watched from his patrol vehicle while writing her a warning citation. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. But Bland was alive when her mugshots were taken. The decision to fire Brian Encinia, the Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, was upheld by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a news release says. For now, he remains employed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. VOTE: Whats the best KXAN viewer photo of February? Bland's sister said there is a bond among families of Blacks killed by officers. Brian Encinia is an ex-state trooper in Texas. Five years after Bland's death, accountability in her case is something Sandra's sister says the family still awaits. By PAUL J. WEBER and CLARICE SILBER May 7, 2019 GMT. On July 10, 2015,Blandwas booked into the Waller Countyjail after being charged with assaulting Encinia,who had stopped Bland for failing to signal a turn while driving. Bystander video shows Bland on the ground after she had been pulled from her car. We rate the claim that Sandra Bland was dead in her mugshot photo FALSE, based on our research. Her friends and family vigorously denied she would have taken her life, saying suicide was "unfathomable.". Im sure many people would rather not bring Sandra Bland back up again. But for all that attention, and video evidence suggesting Blands only offense was getting angry with a cop she felt was mistreating her, the exact circumstances of her death remain unknown. Here's why that's hard to believe. Even though trooper Brian Encinia had been on the job for about a year, the records give a glimpse of his background. I will light you up!. (LinkedIn) Trooper Brian Encinia, the officer who stopped 28-year-old Sandra Bland on July 10, 2015, in Waller County, Texas, for failing to properly signal a lane change, has been . He arrested her for assault on a public servant. The question is, how seriously can they deliver. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Cellphone video recorded by Sandra Bland, a black woman found dead in a Texas jail following a confrontational 2015 traffic stop, shows for the first time her perspective as a white state trooper draws his stun gun and points it at close range while ordering her out of her car HEMPSTEAD, Texas (AP) A judge dismissed a misdemeanor perjury charge against a fired Texas state trooper Wednesday in a case arising from his 2015 arrest of Sandra Bland, a black woman who was later found dead in a county jail Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. For many Black Americans, these deaths and others have caused lasting trauma. There must be full accountability and justice.. How many more bodies do we have to see? Bland was detained, and three days later, she was found hanging in her jail cell. 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