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. 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. He has said he did not understand the context of the phrase at the time. 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. But Encinia said he didnt know what he was arresting Bland for but would come up with something, Kelley says. The Exit: Teachers Leave. 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. 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. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. . The second interview was done on Feb. 22, 2016, after he was indicted by a Waller County grand jury on a perjury charge. Create your free profile or log in to save this video. More: George Floyd. Three days later, her death in Waller County jail cell 95 was ruled a suicide. Even though trooper Brian Encinia had been on the job for about a year, the records give a glimpse of his background. 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. 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. Where is he now? Five years after Bland's death, accountability in her case is something Sandra's sister says the family still awaits. The reporter who had exposed the videos existence was later barred from a press conference with city leaders about the killing. Part of HuffPost Black Voices. FACT CHECK: . 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! Al Sharpton, when he clearly said, Black lives matter.. The images aired Monday night marked the first time that most people had seen the traffic encounter as Ms. In the video, officer Brian Encinia shouts: Get out of the car! Brian Encinia is an ex-state trooper in Texas. The state Public Safety department moved to fire Encinia after his perjury indictment in January accused him of lying about the confrontation. 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. The newly surfaced video begins when the trooper walks back . All we know is that he is not active on any social media platforms. I do believe however that Trooper Encinias adrenaline level was very high at that time and that he was very emotional after just getting attacked by the violator. Still Practicing: Tracking Problem Doctors, Texas Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout Investigations, Sign up for More than the Score Sports newsletter. Nola was previously a foreign correspondent in Jerusalem, Israel covering Middle East news through an internship with an American news outlet. Enough is enough," said Needham. 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. Encinia's case was dropped in exchange for a promise he would never again work in law enforcement. We are all in this together. Othersquestioned how a routine traffic stop could have escalated to an assault charge. Brian Encinia, the Texas trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, had been warned about "unprofessional conduct" in 2014, according to documents obtained by the . Trooper Encinia did not follow the seven step violator contact by not telling the violator what action that he was going to take. He arrested her for assault on a public servant. Now.". 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. "Like, how many more? "He got a bogus charge. tweeted: Immediately re-open the investigation into Sandra Blands arrest and death. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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. 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. I talked to one of Sandra Bland's sisters, Sharon Cooper, about the significance of . A . Joseph Wulfsohn / Fox News: Brian Stelter defends 2020 media coverage of Hunter Biden laptop story: We never labeled it 'disinformation' . Id like to see candidates continue to take the right stances, even if they are difficult, she said. If convicted of the perjury charge, Encinia could face up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Blands family said it was never shown the clip and called on Texas officials to reopen a criminal investigation against the arresting officer. She shouldve never been arrested. Was Brian Encinia scared during Sandra Bland traffic stop? "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. Yesterday afternoon, the grand jury, who declined to chargeany of the officers involved in Blands death, delivered the indictment. 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. There are petitions to get Bland's case reopened, including one with more than 1 million signatures. 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. Her life mattered. If her video helps someone get there, all the better. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. DeSantis said board members want to see Disney be "what Walt envisioned." Speakers invited by the governor's office to speak at Monday's news conference railed against Disney's . 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.. Offers may be subject to change without notice. USA TODAY reached out to several Facebook users who shared the postsfor comment. How many more bodies do we have to see? This decision does not mean that Encinia will not face criminal charges. 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. Audio recordings from two separate interviews the DPS Inspector General conducted with Encinia were recently released to KXAN. There must be full accountability and justice.. 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. The Bland family received a $1.9 million settlement in their wrongful-death suit. We rate the claim that Sandra Bland was dead in her mugshot photo FALSE, based on our research. Celeb News; Actor; Actress; Web Stars; . Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Naperville, IL Brian Encinia Audio Interview after Bland Death (81 minutes), Brian Encinia Interview after Indictment (24 minutes). I'm angry that my sister passed five years ago and they are still killing us. Waller County officials released video that shows Bland alive as her mugshot wastaken. If convicted, Encinia could face up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement, visiting criminal law scholar at the University of Houston. The Texas Department of Public Safety laterfired Encinia for escalating the situation during the traffic stop. The Facebook post includestwo mugshots, one of which shows Bland's eyes appearing to roll back in her head. The charge against Brian Encinia was dropped after he agreed to surrender his state law enforcement . 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. 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 claim that Bland was dead in her mugshot has proved popular on social media. Lawyers for Bland's family have argued that Texas state trooper Brian Encinia had no grounds for the July arrest. Stories that matter delivered to your inbox. 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. How many more videos do we have to see before law enforcement does something. "This case now represents much more than Brian Encinia," Lewis said. "I'm angry. Texas lawmakers passed the Sandra Bland Act in 2017. 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 . "That did not happen in this situation. Friday, October 30, 2020. . 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. + I think things couldve been handled differently, yes sir. Lawyers for Blands family have argued that Encinia did not have grounds for the arrest and escalated the confrontation. Academy Award-nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry talks about being nominated for an oscar award. He has 15 days . 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. VOTE: Whats the best KXAN viewer photo of February? Click to copy. As of recent reports, he is currently 34 years of age. 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 . He pled guilty to drug and gun charges in 2016 and received a four-year prison sentence. The 30-year old Trooper Encinia is now on administrative duty for violating . Popular Networth. Trayvon Martin. 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, a28-year-old black woman, in Waller County on July 21, 2015. . Bryan has the knack to jump right into any coding language and become an expert extremely fast. 2010-2021 Derek Chauvin/Wife. The video sparked renewed conversation about police misconduct against black Americans. Sandra Bland's family describes their journey of pain since her death. This week, a Dallas news station obtained a cellphone clip recorded by Sandra Bland. 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. Three days later, Bland was found dead in jail, of an apparent suicide. 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. 6 Things We Know About Brian Encinia, The Texas Trooper Who Arrested Sandra Bland. Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Diepraams boss, Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis, denies Kelleys claims. 20102021 That's not justice for me," Reed-Veal said. Trooper Encinia stated that he understood. This video is compelling proof that Trooper Encinia lied, that Sandra Bland posed no threat, and that there was no basis for her arrest. Skepticism of official narratives about Bland's death has persisted online for years. ButHershorn saidbased on the low-resolutionFacebook post it's impossible to tell forcertain whether the image was manipulated. Atlantic City Sergeant Mark Benjamin says he got a death threat after reporting officers for abuse of force. CapMetro apologizes for post-Austin FC game service, APA! 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. Bland was pulled over on June 10, 2015, during a road trip to Texas from Illinois, where she lived. He might be in the clear currently, but where is Brian Encinia now? The state Public Safety department moved to fire Encinia after his perjury indictment in January accused him of lying about the confrontation. Bland, a 28-year-old Black woman, was arrestedin July 2015 for allegedly assaulting Texasstate trooper Brian Enciniaduringa traffic stop. The Texas state trooper who stopped Bland, Brian Encinia, was charged with lying to investigators for saying his safety was in jeopardy. "When the incident happened with George Floyd, it broke me down. A grand jury declined to charge anyone at the jail in connection to Bland's death. All Rights Reserved. Her friends and family vigorously denied she would have taken her life, saying suicide was "unfathomable.". As of early 2020, he was in solitary confinement in Collins Correctional Facility. The confrontation ended with Encinia forcibly arresting Bland. 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. When George Floyd died last spring, emotions from the Bland family tragedy were rekindled. "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. Trooper Encinia said that he was genuinely concerned that something was going on with the violator because of the behavior that she was displaying. 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 him with perjury. Now." After Bland asks why Encinia would "threaten to drag me out of my own car," he pulls out his Taser. 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. Orta was transferred multiple times during his imprisonment. Blands mother Geneva Reed-Veal has become an outspoken advocate for police reform. I also advised him to be mindful of comments that may come across as rude when he is dealing with the public. We do not know exactly where he is right now in 2020. As of recent reports, he is . He completed his education at Texas A&M University. 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. Her death was ruled a suicide. Sections of the document are heavily redacted. The Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement announcing that Encinia would be placed on indefinite desk duty for violations of department protocols on July 17, four days after Bland was found dead in her Waller County jail cell. Oct. 13, 2016 Updated: Oct. 13, 2016 3:53 p.m. 21. And they want us to trust law enforcement," Needham said. But for black women like me, her presence is everywhere. "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. Does Chauvin have a wife? Sandra Bland Tragedy: 7 Things to Know About Her Life and Death. Maybe she fell when she was in handcuffs. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, TinEye Reverse Image Search, accessed June 18. Get out of the car! he shouts while pointing it at her chest. Waller County District Judge Albert . Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Bland was pulled over for a minor traffic violation on July 10 by State Trooper Brian Encinia. Joe Crystal was a rising star in the Baltimore Police Department until he blew the whistle on fellow cops who had covered up a brutal beating of a handcuffed suspect, and was hounded out of the department. 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. At the conclusion of this investigation, any violations of protocols will be addressed. All information will be forwarded to OIG for further investigation. Now, Bland's family is alleging that the Texas Department of Public Safety . Sandra Bland. 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. When speaking with Trooper Encinia about this he said that he had no intentions of being rude. A Texas trooper indicted over his arrest of a black woman who was later found dead in jail has been formally fired, three months after his bosses first announced they would do so, state officials . pic.twitter.com/dmhlQAiELZ. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. 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