After issuing Bland a ticket for improper lane change, she was free to go. Therefore, there was no reason to further “investigate” or prolong the traffic stop. In the dashcam footage, Encinia handed Bland her traffic ticket, then proceeded to question her about her attitude and asked her to put out her cigarette. At that point, the conversation became combative.
According to Heavy.com, The dashcam video also recorded a phone conversation between Encinia and his supervisor:
“I tried to de-escalate her, and it wasn’t working at all,” Encinia says. “I put the Taser away, I tried talking to her, trying to calm her down, and that was not working. … I’m trying to get her detained … just calm her down, saying’stop throwing your arms,’ what not. She never swung at me, (she was) just flailing, stomping around. And that’s enough, that’s when I detained her.”
Texas State Senator Royce West said at a press conference that it’s clear Bland never should have been arrested.
The perjury charge, which is a Class A misdemeanor, carries a possible penalty of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement hours after Encinia’s indictment that they would begin “termination proceedings to discharge him”. Encinia has been on paid desk duty since Bland’s death.
The citizens of Waller County who make up the grand jury decided not to indict the other county jail officers or officials in the death of Sandra Bland due to it being ruled a suicide. Waller County has long been accused of being one of the most racist counties of Texas.
Cannon Lambert, Bland’s family attorney, says the indictment on perjury is an “insult” to the Bland family. Lambert says Encinia should’ve been charged with… See NEXT PAGE