Students Suffer. This video is compelling proof that Trooper Encinia lied, that Sandra Bland posed no threat, and that there was no basis for her arrest. I dont know what happened, but something did, and to me, that was the reasonable suspicion.. 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. If convicted, Encinia could face up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Sandra Bland. The story of Sandra Bland, the 28-year-old who was found dead in a Texas jail cell earlier this month, was given . And even though we are seeing it live on the worldwide web, officers are not being held accountable.". Who is graffitiing I was raped, I am OK in ATX? Her death was ruled a suicide. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Sign Up for Daily News & Breaking News Newsletters, Sign up for Digging Deep: Inside KXAN Investigates newsletter. But Bland was alive when her mugshots were taken. I knew something was wrong, but I didnt know what was wrong. New footage casts doubt on his . "It is a threat to all police officers in the state of Texas of a runaway grand jury or a rogue prosecutor deciding to . Brian Encinia, the Texas trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, had been warned about "unprofessional conduct" in 2014, according to documents obtained by the . The charge against Brian Encinia was dropped after he agreed to surrender his state law enforcement . | Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. 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. By PAUL J. WEBER and CLARICE SILBER May 7, 2019 GMT. All we know is that he is not active on any social media platforms. For many Black Americans, these deaths and others have caused lasting trauma. I think things couldve been handled differently, yes sir. There have been 179 this year, according to Mappingpoliceviolence.org. "I'm angry. 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. AFacebook post from June 2020 that is regaining tractionrepeats theclaim that Bland was dead in her mugshotand purports to have photographic evidence. Three days later, Bland was found dead in jail, of an apparent suicide. Top Stories. It continues to happen. The Exit: Teachers Leave. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. 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 Former Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Brian Encinia claimed in newly released interview recordings that he feared for his safety but could not explain . CapMetro apologizes for post-Austin FC game service, APA! How rich is Brian Encinia in 2020-2021? 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. Thank you for supporting our journalism. Bland was pulled over for a minor traffic violation on July 10 by State Trooper Brian Encinia. 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. Was Brian Encinia scared during Sandra Bland traffic stop? Click to copy. Police said Blanddiedby suicidein her jail cellthree days later. 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. Skepticism of official narratives about Bland's death has persisted online for years. I didnt know if a crime was being committed, had been committed or whatnot, said the trooper. This week, a Dallas news station obtained a cellphone clip recorded by Sandra Bland. Minnesota Derek Chauvin/Place of birth. Former Texas Department of Safety Trooper Brian Encinia said he feared for his personal safety after pulling over Sandra Bland in Waller County on July 21, 2015. On July 10th, 2015, Sandra Bland was pulled over on the outskirts of Houston for failing to signal a lane change. 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. 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. Thats not always easy. Although this issue has not dominated the news in recent weeks, it remains a major problem. The footage shows Bland walking back and forth in the jail's entryway. "When the incident happened with George Floyd, it broke me down. (Video: Texas Department of Public Safety). 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. 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 . A . I was checking the condition of the vehicle, such as the make, the model, had a license plate, any other conditions.. 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. Brian Encinia, the Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland during a contentious traffic stop, has been indicted on charges of perjury, accused of lying about how he removed . Geneva Reed-Veal, Bland's mother, balked at Encinia's perjury misdemeanor charge, which carries up to a $4,000 fine and a year in jail. Three days later, Bland died by suicide in her jail cell. Even though trooper Brian Encinia had been on the job for about a year, the records give a glimpse of his background. The post includes a pictureshowing Bland in an orange jumpsuit with her eyes rolled back into her head. How many more bodies do we have to see? Kellie Chauvinm. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. That's not justice for me," Reed-Veal said. The 28-year-old black woman was pulled over by a Texas state trooper in July 2015 after failing to signal a lane change. 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. Pending the outcome of the Texas Ranger and FBI investigation into this incident, the employee involved has been assigned administrative duties. If her video helps someone get there, all the better. I'm angry that my sister passed five years ago and they are still killing us. The exchange escalated, resulting in Blands arrest and a charge of assaulting a police officer.Death of Sandra Bland. Lawyers for Bland's family have argued that Texas state trooper Brian Encinia had no grounds for the July arrest. 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. 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 . DPS fired him in 2016. Conflicting accountsfrom law enforcement officialsalso created a vacuum for alternativeexplanationsto blossom. 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. Now, Bland's family is alleging that the Texas Department of Public Safety . During Bland's arrest, Encinia threatened her with a taser, as Texas state Sen. Royce West confirmed. 2020. More: George Floyd. It mandates county jails divert people with mental health and substance abuse issues toward treatment. 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 . The reporter who had exposed the videos existence was later barred from a press conference with city leaders about the killing. pic.twitter.com/dmhlQAiELZ. A Waller County judge is expected to issue an arrest warrant for Encinia in the coming days. I think he knows what happened. US Casinos With FreeSpins: Why Players Like No-Deposit Bonuses? There are petitions to get Bland's case reopened, including one with more than 1 million signatures. Naperville, IL Sandra Bland Tragedy: 7 Things to Know About Her Life and Death. 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. Although Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Cal.) This is a short clip of police video that shows Sandra Bland's arrest in Texas on July 10, three days before she died in a county jail. Both incriminating details were removed from Kelleys incident report before it was officially filed, the officer says. Texas lawmakers passed the Sandra Bland Act in 2017. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Sections of the document are heavily redacted. Nation Aug 1, 2015 3:44 PM EST. Enough is enough," said Needham. Quick Facts: Where Is Brian Encinia Now? 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. ", Encinia wrote in a report that Bland had become combative and was swinging and kicking at him. I will light you up!. He arrested her for assault on a public servant. She shouldve never been arrested. Uncredited/AP. Bystander video shows Bland on the ground after she had been pulled from her car. 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. | The Texas Tribune Trooper fired for Sandra Bland stop: My safety was in jeopardy. Former Texas Department of Safety Trooper Brian Encinia says he feared for his personal safety after pulling over Sandra Bland in Waller County on July 21, 2015. When George Floyd died last spring, emotions from the Bland family tragedy were rekindled. 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? Trooper Encinia said that he was genuinely concerned that something was going on with the violator because of the behavior that she was displaying. 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. The Washington Post reported that the number of fatal shootings by police increased in 2018 compared to 2017, according to an ongoing Washington Post database project that tracks the fatal shootings. By Nola Valente Thats not true, and dashcam video proves itbut everyone from the cops to Mayor Rahm Emanuels office to then-prosecutor Anita Alvarez toed the official line until a judge forced the city to release the video. After Bland allegedly refused to put out her cigarette, Encinia ordered her out of the vehicle. As of early 2020, he was in solitary confinement in Collins Correctional Facility. The newly surfaced video begins when the trooper walks back . 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. Now." After Bland asks why Encinia would "threaten to drag me out of my own car," he pulls out his Taser. WATCH: Dashcam video of Sandra Bland traffic stop. "We all need each other. A native Texan, Nola serves as reporter for the Katy edition of Community Impact Newspaper. Yes, her blood is in their hands.Police & prosecutors hid her cellphone video of her arrest for 4 years. Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. White males accounted for 44 percent of all fatal police shootings, and Hispanic males accounted for 18 percent.. The state Public Safety department moved to fire Encinia after his perjury indictment in January accused him of lying about the confrontation. Where is he now? Brian Encinia. Orta was transferred multiple times during his imprisonment. Waller County officials released video that shows Bland alive as her mugshot wastaken. Still,some people felt the details of the case weretoo strange to be true. 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. Brian Encinia. "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. Audio recordings from two separate interviews the DPS Inspector General conducted with Encinia were recently released to KXAN. Encinia was eventually charged, but only with perjury a decision that sparked further outrage. In the video, officer Brian Encinia shouts: Get out of the car! The question is, how seriously can they deliver. The Texas Department of Public Safety recently released its investigation into the death of Sandra Bland in the Waller County jail in 2015. 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! It also shows Bland sitting down for her mugshot and then getting up. Tweets and Facebook posts with the claim have been shared tens of thousands of times. 6 Things We Know About Brian Encinia, The Texas Trooper Who Arrested Sandra Bland. 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. Updated October 27, 2020. Sandra Bland. But for black women like me, her presence is everywhere. 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. He completed his education at Texas A&M University. He has 15 days . I think its really unfortunate that he would continue to pervert his version of events, said attorney Cannon Lambert. A dozen officers in New York City sued the NYPD last year alleging that they have faced retaliation from supervisors for trying to expose the continued use of quotas in the city despite department officials claims to have reformed those rules. 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. As USA TODAY reported in 2015, video from the Waller County jail provedBland was alive while her mugshots were taken. Encinia's case was dropped in exchange for a promise he would never again work in law enforcement. Blands family said it was never shown the clip and called on Texas officials to reopen a criminal investigation against the arresting officer. 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! 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. "Whether you like it or not, the Supreme Court has made it clear police are in charge at a traffic stop, and they can make anybody get out of the car driver or passenger for no reason whatsoever," she said. And he was met with applause last month while speaking at a convention of the National Action Network, founded by the Rev. All information will be forwarded to OIG for further investigation. 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. Kelley got to the scene too late to see exactly what happened between Encinia and Bland during the key moments off a dash-cam video where the two are out of frame and Bland says hes knocked her head against the pavement. Her life mattered. "I'm over it. Create your free profile or log in to save this video. Bland was pulled over on June 10, 2015, during a road trip to Texas from Illinois, where she lived. Gary Hershorn, who spent more than 30 years as a photographyeditor for Reuters, said it would be easy to alterBland's eyes fromthe official mugshot to make them appear to roll back. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Police say Sandra Bland killed herself in jail. Bland, 28, was found hanging in her jail cell three days after state trooper Brian Encinia arrested her after a routine traffic stop July 10, 2015. For now, he remains employed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. "But I pray for them and I just pray for better days for America because America is messed up right now.". Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Brian Encinia is an ex-state trooper in Texas. 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.. However, Melissa Hamilton, visiting criminal law scholar at the University of Houston, states the opposite. (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 . 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. Now.". VOTE: Whats the best KXAN viewer photo of February? . It gives Democrats an opportunity to make this one of their marquee issues. Trooper Encinia did not follow the seven step violator contact by not telling the violator what action that he was going to take. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Still Practicing: Tracking Problem Doctors, Texas Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout Investigations, Sign up for More than the Score Sports newsletter. 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. 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. It also requires an independent investigation into jail deaths. And they want us to trust law enforcement," Needham said. The trooper, Brian Encinia, would later be fired and charged with perjury, though the charge wouldn't stick. In order for families, and the world, to begin to even trust law enforcement, there has to be accountability," she said. 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.. Othersquestioned how a routine traffic stop could have escalated to an assault charge. He said that because of this, "Force was used to subdue Bland to the ground, to which Bland continued to fight back.". ABC7 Chicago says farewell to Meteorologist Phil Schwarz, Arrest warrant issued for top NFL Draft prospect Jalen Carter, How officials cracked case of eyedrops that blinded people. Bland was detained, and three days later, she was found hanging in her jail cell. He completed his education at Texas A&M University. The images aired Monday night marked the first time that most people had seen the traffic encounter as Ms. How many more videos do we have to see before law enforcement does something. Sandra Bland should still be alive. He got recognition from people after he arrested Sandra Bland who was hanged three days after this arrest. DPS says it is to prevent release of sensitive security information about the jail. The state Public Safety department moved to fire Encinia after his perjury indictment in January accused him of lying about the confrontation. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Trayvon Martin. The video sparked renewed conversation about police misconduct against black Americans. balked at Encinia's perjury misdemeanor charge. Here are the best, CMT Music Awards ticket presale starts Wednesday. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Once in handcuffs and placed on the the ground, the violator stated that she has epilepsy. Friday, October 30, 2020. . Encinia's attorney Larkin Eakin Jr. says that Encinia will appeal the termination. Encinia is still assigned to administrative duty for the policy violations. Im too furious to add anything else constructive at the moment. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. needs room in shelter for parvo treatment, Nurses rally at TX Capitol, ask lawmakers for help, Doctors could get TX license in 10 days or fewer, I was raped, I am OK graffiti sparks controversy, COVID-19 tracker: Cases in the KXAN viewing area, Data tracker: COVID cases, vaccine rates across Texas, Thursdays cold front brings severe risk then strong, Austin musician Ben Kweller announces death of son, The story of 12 students who integrated ATX schools, How to get to Q2 Stadium for 2023 Austin FC season, PHOTOS: Some of Austins most modern homes, Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Who was the Texas state trooper that pulled over Sandra Bland? Sandra Bland's name appeared with others on t-shirts and signs at Black Lives Matter protests. FILE - In this July 10, 2015 image made from dashcam video provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, then-Trooper Brian Encinia arrests Sandra Bland after a routine traffic stop led to a . The Post reported: "While the number of black males armed and unarmed who have been killed has fallen, black males continue to be shot at disproportionately high rates, the data shows. 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. June 28, 2017. Brian Encinia is an ex-state trooper in Texas. "He got a bogus charge. Maybe she fell when she was in handcuffs. But Encinia said he didnt know what he was arresting Bland for but would come up with something, Kelley says. A grand jury declined to charge anyone at the jail in connection to Bland's death. Encinia had claimed in an affidavit that Bland was combative and uncooperative, which grand jurors determined to be untrue. 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. 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.