HEMPSTEAD, Texas (AP) — A Texas state trooper has been charged with perjury for conduct related to a contentious traffic stop of a black woman who was eventually arrested for assault and then died three days later in jail.
A grand jury indicted Trooper Brian Encinia on Wednesday with the misdemeanor charge. Encinia has been on desk duty since 28-year-old Sandra Bland was found dead in her cell in July. Her death was ruled a suicide.
Dashcam video shows the traffic stop quickly became confrontational, with Encinia holding a stun gun and yelling, “I will light you up!” after Bland refused to get out of her car.
Encinia is accused of lying about how he removed Bland from her vehicle
The same grand jury declined last month to indict sheriff’s officials or jailers.
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This is a horrible but not surprising development. Ms. Bland’s death and arrest were disgraceful and her family probably will never recover. I know I haven’t and I didn’t even know her.
The actions by this Trooper should end his career in law enforcement. I have no idea what happened in the jail cell, but what happened at the traffic stop was not appropriate, not enough to charge Ms. Bland and certainly morally reprehensible.
Until cops who behave like this are punished, with other police being the loudest voices against them, we will have a problem with corruption and oppression in the police force.
No, this (the officer being charged) is the only good development that’s come out of this. The only thing better would be if the officer is also fired. But I’m not holding my breath.
He was fired following the indictment.