Trooper Brian Encinia has been indicted on charges of lying about his arrest of Bland, later found hanged in a jail cell. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Corrections officers in upstate New York were caught lying about the circumstances of inmate Leonard Stricklands death in 2010. The footage shows Bland walking back and forth in the jail's entryway. 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. He has not mentioned Bland since this new video was released. Celeb News; Actor; Actress; Web Stars; . Create your free profile or log in to save this video. The exchange escalated, resulting in Blands arrest and a charge of assaulting a police officer.Death of Sandra Bland. This article was published more than3 years ago. Orta was transferred multiple times during his imprisonment. Trooper Brian Encinia was fired after failing to rebut disciplinary charges leveled against him in January, Public Safety Director Steven McCraw wrote in a letter of final termination. pic.twitter.com/dmhlQAiELZ. Kelleys claim that the DAs office tried to intimidate him resonate with other stories of police officers speaking up when they believe their colleagues or bosses broke the law or violated someones civil rights. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Diepraams boss, Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis, denies Kelleys claims. In order for families, and the world, to begin to even trust law enforcement, there has to be accountability," she said. Regardless of the situation, the DPS state trooper has an obligation to exhibit professionalism and be courteous, said DPS Director Steve McCraw. President Trump has largely defended law enforcement officers since launching his campaign. In the video, officer Brian Encinia shouts: Get out of the car! For now, he remains employed by the . On July 10, 2015, Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia pulls over a 28-year-old Black woman, Sandra Bland, for failing to signal a lane change. the I-Team was unable to find current contact information for Brian Encinia. In May, the world responded with protests and riots after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody. We rate the claim that Sandra Bland was dead in her mugshot photo FALSE, based on our research. Police say Sandra Bland killed herself in jail. For many Black Americans, these deaths and others have caused lasting trauma. My safety was in jeopardy at more than one time, said Encinia, during an interview with the agencys Office of Inspector General, after being askedif he was scared during the traffic stop that escalated into a physical altercation as he arrested Bland. When asked why he did not tell Bland why she was under arrest, Encinia said,I dont have a reason for that, no sir., Encinia denied racially profiling Bland, who was upset after being pulled over for not using her turn signal when changing lanes after the trooper raced up behind her. subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. balked at Encinia's perjury misdemeanor charge. I also advised him to be mindful of comments that may come across as rude when he is dealing with the public. Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement, visiting criminal law scholar at the University of Houston. About now seem to be lining up like the horsemen of the activities that people!, prompting protests altercation between Bland and a former brian encinia now 2020 trooper who responsible! The deciding factor, which might also eventually determine the pending wrongful death lawsuit that Bland's family has brought against Encinia and the department, is whether there was actually a credible threat of danger. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Encinia has never been questioned in a criminal or civil court or spoken publicly to explain his actions that day. The four Minneapolis police officers involved in Floyd's death were fired and are awaiting trial. Numerous NYPD officers told local public radio reporters in 2012 that they had been frozen out and labeled as snitches by colleagues after reporting corrupt activity to Internal Affairs. 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. Needham said that it's a start, but deaths of Blacks caused by police continue. 2020. (Designed by Jos Dennis/Community Impact Newspaper). This decision does not mean that Encinia will not face criminal charges. . | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms. They charged him with perjury. . CapMetro apologizes for post-Austin FC game service, APA! A Texas grand jury has opted to indict Brian Encinia, the Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland three days before her July death, and charge . Although Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Cal.) Yesterday afternoon, the grand jury, who declined to chargeany of the officers involved in Blands death, delivered the indictment. At the time, the police officer who arrested Bland said he feared for his life. Sandra Bland Tragedy: 7 Things to Know About Her Life and Death. Her death was ruled a suicide. If convicted, Encinia could face up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. 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. Brian Encinia is an ex-state trooper in Texas. 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. The confrontation ended with Encinia forcibly arresting Bland. During Bland's arrest, Encinia threatened her with a taser, as Texas state Sen. Royce West confirmed. "Like, how many more? When asked what crime he believed Bland was committing, or about to commit, Encinia responded: I had a feeling that anything couldve been either retrieved or hidden within her area of control. 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. It's all in the hands of law enforcement.". From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. Encinia's attorney Larkin Eakin Jr. says that Encinia will appeal the termination. Click to copy. The post includes a pictureshowing Bland in an orange jumpsuit with her eyes rolled back into her head. His attorney did not return our call. A native Texan, Nola serves as reporter for the Katy edition of Community Impact Newspaper. The trooper, Brian T. Encinia, approached Ms. Bland's car, took her information and returned to his vehicle to write out a citation. USA TODAY reached out to several Facebook users who shared the postsfor comment. But Encinia said he didnt know what he was arresting Bland for but would come up with something, Kelley says. 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. The video sparked renewed conversation about police misconduct against black Americans. Comments are off for this post. The Bland family received a $1.9 million settlement in their wrongful-death suit. On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner was killed in the New York City borough of Staten Island after Daniel Pantaleo, a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, put him in a prohibited chokehold while arresting him. 2010-2021 Derek Chauvin/Wife. After Bland allegedly refused to put out her cigarette, Encinia ordered her out of the vehicle. 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. Encinia, who still awaits trial on the perjury indictment, may appeal his firing under department rules. Trooper Encinia responded with an inappropriate comment by saying good. 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. Source Austin American-Statesman. Page Six reported Friday that the former president "now has a regular gig" as a DJ at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Lawyers for Blands family have argued that Encinia did not have grounds for the arrest and escalated the confrontation. Blands mother Geneva Reed-Veal has become an outspoken advocate for police reform. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Offers may be subject to change without notice. She studied print journalism at the University of Houston and French at the University of Paris-Sorbonne in France. Sandra Bland's own video of 2015 Texas traffic stop surfaces. Orta was released in May 2020 and is under court supervision until January 2022. It also shows he did not follow procedure when he didnt tell Bland what action he was going to take and the situation had already gotten out of hand. The defense team for Brian Encinia, the then-DPS trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, may ask for the trial to be moved outside Waller County. Most of the time, the blue wall of silence has to get torn down from the outside. White males accounted for 44 percent of all fatal police shootings, and Hispanic males accounted for 18 percent.. Encinia had claimed in an affidavit that Bland was combative and uncooperative, which grand jurors determined to be untrue. VOTE: Whats the best KXAN viewer photo of February? Her life mattered. Where is he now? "It is a threat to all police officers in the state of Texas of a runaway grand jury or a rogue prosecutor deciding to . Although this issue has not dominated the news in recent weeks, it remains a major problem. Id like to see candidates continue to take the right stances, even if they are difficult, she said. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Aside from the violated regulations, there is considerable division in the Texas legal community about the legality of Encinia's actions. The trooper, Brian Encinia, was indicted on a charge of perjury. I unequivocally state that he never approached me, my first assistant, or any member of my staff with any such information, Mathis wrote to the Houston Chronicle. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Bland had seen it: a close-up view of the face of the state trooper, Brian T. Encinia . She should be alive. At the conclusion of this investigation, any violations of protocols will be addressed. Skepticism of official narratives about Bland's death has persisted online for years. Im too furious to add anything else constructive at the moment. 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. Now." After Bland asks why Encinia would "threaten to drag me out of my own car," he pulls out his Taser. Lawyers for Bland's family have argued that Texas state trooper Brian Encinia had no grounds for the July arrest. Trooper Encinia appears to display rude behavior by asking the violator why she seemed irritated and then, when she quits talking, asking her if she is done. "You have to be the best person that you can be, because you don't know who you are going to encounter on that day," said Needham. Waller County settled a wrongful death lawsuit withBlands family for $1.9 million. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Trooper Encinia stated that he understood. Bland is heard on the video crying and in distress as she repeatedly tells officers that they were hurting her and that she couldn't hear after being slammed into the ground. Who is graffitiing I was raped, I am OK in ATX? It mandates county jails divert people with mental health and substance abuse issues toward treatment. 6 Things We Know About Brian Encinia, The Texas Trooper Who Arrested Sandra Bland. 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. Former congressman Beto ORourke (D-Tex.) Over a year after Sandra Bland died in police custody, an officer involved in the case is giving the world a glimpse into how the blue wall of silence works inside the law enforcement industry. Trooper Encinia said that he was genuinely concerned that something was going on with the violator because of the behavior that she was displaying. Encinia is still assigned to administrative duty for the policy violations. She and eight other Mothers of the Movementseven of whom lost their children to police violence, one of whom lost her daughter to gang violence in Chicago, and one of whom had her son killed by a white Florida man who had gotten angry with he and his friends for playing music too loudplayed a prominent role in Tuesday nights Democratic National Convention proceedings. ButHershorn saidbased on the low-resolutionFacebook post it's impossible to tell forcertain whether the image was manipulated. Brian Encinia. I was checking the condition of the vehicle, such as the make, the model, had a license plate, any other conditions.. Atlantic City Sergeant Mark Benjamin says he got a death threat after reporting officers for abuse of force. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. He arrested her for assault on a public servant. 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 And he was met with applause last month while speaking at a convention of the National Action Network, founded by the Rev. Activist Brittany Packnett, a member of President Barack Obamas Task Force on 21st Century Policing, told The Fix that these conversations must be revisited despite how challenging they can be. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. The lengthy dashcam video of Encinia and Blands encounter, followed by the comparative dearth of clear information on what happened to her in the three days between her arrest and when she was found dead in a county jail cell, made the incident a national headline. Former state Trooper Brian Encinia, who pulled Bland over on July 10, 2015, in Prairie View, Texas, for failing to use a turn signal, no longer faces a perjury charge for making a false statement . Because all I could think about was the knee in my sister's back from Officer Encinia," said Needham. 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. "This case now represents much more than Brian Encinia," Lewis said. Amplifying Black voices through news that matters. There must be full accountability and justice.. He has 15 days . The Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, the motorist who days later was found hanged in a jail cell, was formally fired on Wednesday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Updated October 27, 2020. Bland was pulled over on June 10, 2015, during a road trip to Texas from Illinois, where she lived. I think he is afraid of what happened. FACT CHECK: . Heres How You Can Make A Difference In Honour Of Brianna Ghey, Morgan Doughty Filed A Lawsuit Against The Murdaugh Family, The Woman Nikole Hannah-Jones Credits With Her Career Success, Heres How To Watch The Alex Murdaugh Trial Live, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. As of recent reports, he is . Thats not always easy. Thank you for supporting our journalism. A pair of officers in Chicago who helped federal officials catch a network of corrupt and abusive cops operating in one of the citys housing projects later said in December that they had been retaliated against by colleagues. Waller County officials released video that shows Bland alive as her mugshot wastaken. told the Huffington Posts Michael McLaughlin, Maintained by Center for American Progress - Action Fund. 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. And Kelleys testimony that she had a head wound at the scene might have influenced the grand jury process that ultimately only rung Encinia up on perjury charges. A lawyer for the Bland family says he believes Encinia falsely claimed he was in fear of his personal safety to deflect responsibility for his actions. Bystander video shows Bland on the ground after she had been pulled from her car. 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 . Joseph Wulfsohn / Fox News: Brian Stelter defends 2020 media coverage of Hunter Biden laptop story: We never labeled it 'disinformation' . 20102021 After reviewing the in-car video of the incident and speaking with Trooper Encinia, I have the following concerns: I believe that the concerns listed above are training related. When the California legislature considered a bill in 2015 that would have required the office of the attorney general, who was Harris at the time, to appoint a special prosecutor to examine deadly police shootings, Harris told the San Francisco Chronicle: I dont think it would be good public policy to take the discretion from elected district attorneys.. Pulled from her car was the knee in my sister 's back officer! 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