Bland's sister said there is a bond among families of Blacks killed by officers. During Bland's arrest, Encinia threatened her with a taser, as Texas state Sen. Royce West confirmed. Because all I could think about was the knee in my sister's back from Officer Encinia," said Needham. Top Stories. Dont miss reporting and analysis from the Hill and the White House. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Encinia's attorney Larkin Eakin Jr. says that Encinia will appeal the termination. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. As of recent reports, he is . 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. And even though we are seeing it live on the worldwide web, officers are not being held accountable.". 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. 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. In the video, officer Brian Encinia shouts: "Get out of the car! We do not know exactly where he is right now in 2020. 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 . All Rights Reserved. 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. New footage casts doubt on his . Encinia had claimed in an affidavit that Bland was combative and uncooperative, which grand jurors determined to be untrue. There must be full accountability and justice.. A grand jury declined to charge anyone at the jail in connection to Bland's death. "It is a threat to all police officers in the state of Texas of a runaway grand jury or a rogue prosecutor deciding to . + . I'm angry that my sister passed five years ago and they are still killing us. Page Six reported Friday that the former president "now has a regular gig" as a DJ at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. 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. The video calls into question the officers account of the event. By Nola Valente Regardless of the situation, the DPS state trooper has an obligation to exhibit professionalism and be courteous, said DPS Director Steve McCraw. Encinia was eventually charged, but only with perjury a decision that sparked further outrage. Here's why that's hard to believe. Protesters have made use of Garners last words, I cant breathe, as a slogan and chant against police brutality since Garners death and Pantaleos grand jury decision. CapMetro apologizes for post-Austin FC game service, APA! If her video helps someone get there, all the better. The video sparked renewed conversation about police misconduct against black Americans. For many Black Americans, these deaths and others have caused lasting trauma, Road trip for suburban woman ends in jailhouse death, BuzzFeed Helped Spread Far-Fetched Conspiracy Theories About Sandra Blands Death, Sandra Bland: Anonymous release video claiming to 'expose Texas police for releasing dead mugshot', Sandra Bland Death: Texas to Look Into Alleged Edits of Dashcam Video, #JusticeForSandy: Sandy Bland Death in Texas Jail Sparks Questions, Sandra Bland death triggers #IfIDieInPoliceCustody trend, Sandra Bland's family settles wrongful death case for $1.9M, Trooper Who Arrested Sandra Band Formally Fired, Newly released Sandra Bland video shows her alive at Texas jail before death, Social media speculates whether Bland is dead in mugshot. When speaking with Trooper Encinia about this he said that he had no intentions of being rude. Encinia is still assigned to administrative duty for the policy violations. AFacebook post from June 2020 that is regaining tractionrepeats theclaim that Bland was dead in her mugshotand purports to have photographic evidence. Bland family members say they were disappointed most of the police reform portions of the bill were eliminated in the version that passed. How rich is Brian Encinia in 2020-2021? Encinia has never been questioned in a criminal or civil court or spoken publicly to explain his actions that day. 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. Where was Derek Chauvin born? "I'm over it. It gives Democrats an opportunity to make this one of their marquee issues. "We all need each other. My safety was in jeopardy at more than one time, said Encinia, during an interview by the agencys Office of Inspector General, when asked if he was scared during the traffic stop. 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. 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. At the time, the police officer who arrested Bland said he feared for his life. 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. The trooper, Brian Encinia, would later be fired and charged with perjury, though the charge wouldn't stick. In the podcast Texas Standard, Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, says that Encinia had no legal authority to order Bland to put out her cigarette or to exit her car. . The new video from Sandra Bland's vantage point shows former Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia pulling a taser on her as she sat in the . ", Encinia wrote in a report that Bland had become combative and was swinging and kicking at him. June 28, 2017. Create your free profile or log in to save this video. Sandra Bland was found dead of suicide in a Texas jail cell in July 2015 after being arrested by state trooper Brian Encinia, who claimed she threatened his safety. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our When Chicago cops killed Laquan McDonald in late 2014, the official story was that the knife-wielding teenager had lunged at officers who fired in self-defense. 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. For now, he remains employed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. I was checking the condition of the vehicle, such as the make, the model, had a license plate, any other conditions.. "I do believe that one day, I don't know in what capacity, but I do believe that my sister will get some form of justice," Needham said. Trooper Encinia did not follow the seven step violator contact by not telling the violator what action that he was going to take. In June 2017, Encinia agreed to a plea deal that dropped his charge; in exchange, he had to agree not to appeal his firing, surrender his police license and never reapply. Trooper Brian Encinia has been indicted on charges of lying about his arrest of Bland, later found hanged in a jail cell. I'm angry," Sandra Bland's sister, Shante Needham, told the I-Team. Now." After Bland asks why Encinia would "threaten to drag me out of my own car," he pulls out his Taser. 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. He completed his education at Texas A&M University. Container: FLAC (tracks) Quality: Hi-Fi, lossless audio Sample Rate: 44100 Hz / 16 bit, Stereo Source: CD Album Artist/Name: Brian Eno - Rams - Original Soundtrack Album Genre: Ambient Release Date: 2020 www publisher: hd24bit.com ArtWork: not included As USA TODAY reported in 2015, video from the Waller County jail provedBland was alive while her mugshots were taken. This case should be reopened and justice should finally be served., Nina Turner, co-chair of the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), called the video gut-wrenching and unacceptable.. That was the only criminal charge he faced. "When these kinds of things continue to occur, it's very very hard for families to heal, for the world to heal. He arrested her for assault on a public servant. Thank you for supporting our journalism. 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. The now-fired trooper, Brian Encinia, was indicted on a charge of perjury in January 2016 for allegedly lying in the report he filed after Bland's arrest. Sandra Bland Tragedy: 7 Things to Know About Her Life and Death. 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. But Bland was alive when her mugshots were taken. In order for families, and the world, to begin to even trust law enforcement, there has to be accountability," she said. This article was published more than3 years ago. 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. It also requires an independent investigation into jail deaths. Encinia was eventually charged, but only with perjurya decision that sparked further outrage. The state Public Safety department moved to fire Encinia after his perjury indictment in January accused him of lying about the confrontation. 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