Charged with perjury
Encinia is charged with perjury. The prosecutor says the grand jury didn’t believe Encinia’s statement that he took Bland from the car she was driving so he could conduct a safer traffic investigation.
The indictment was issued in reference to the reasoning that (Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia) removed her from her vehicle.
The penalty for perjury, a Class A misdemeanor, is up to a year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.
Family files suit against Encinia
Bland’s mother seeks a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages in a wrongful death suit against Encinia; Waller County jail screening officers Elsa Magnus and Oscar Prudente; Waller County; and the DPS. The suit says Encina was previously was reprimanded for “unprofessional conduct” and faulted Texas DPS for improper training, saying the agency should have known he “exhibited a pattern of escalating encounters with the public”, and that he:
demonstrated a deliberate indifference to and conscious disregard for the constitutional rights and safety of Sandra Bland.
In addition, the lawsuit accuses Magnus and Prudente, screening officers at the Waller County Jail, for inadequately monitoring Bland and failing to provide proper medical care when she was found injured in her cell. County lawyer:
We look forward to presenting all the evidence to the Court, in the context of the applicable standards for civil liability, and intend to vigorously defend the case.
Eyewitness video
An eye witness shares a YouTube video showing Bland as she is roughly removed from her car, handcuffed on the ground and arrested on suspicion of assaulting a public servant, a felony charge.
Arrested
State Trooper Encinia pulls over Bland for failing to signal while turning. During the stop Encia asks Bland to put out her cigarette.
Encina: Would you mind putting out your cigarette, please?
Bland: I’m in my car, why do I have to put out my cigarette?
Encina: Well, you can step on out now
Bland: I don’t have to step out now.
Bland refuses, saying she does not have to step out of the car. Encinia opens the driver’s door and attempts to physically remove Bland from the vehicle.
Encina: I’m going to yank you out of here…I’m going to drag you out of here.
Bland: Don’t touch me, I’m not under arrest.
Encina: You are under arrest!
Bland: I’m under arrest for what? Why am I being apprehended
Encina (pointing Taser at Bland): GET OUT OF THE CAR! I will light you up! NOW!
Bland walks towards the cruiser. Encina tells her to get off the phone. Bland calls him a “pussy ass cop” and berates him. She complains he is hurting her. There is an off-camera altercation that leads to Bland being shoved onto the ground.
Bland: You’re a real man now, you gonna slam me, knock my head in the ground. I got Epilepsy you motherf-cker.
Encina: Good, good.
