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Grand jury indicts trooper in Sandra Bland traffic stop

Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia confronted Sandra Bland after a minor traffic infraction in Waller County, Texas on July 10. (Texas Department of Public Safety via AP, file)

HEMPSTEAD, Texas » 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 today 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.

One response to “Grand jury indicts trooper in Sandra Bland traffic stop”

  1. mikethenovice says:

    Looks like the trooper finally broke down in guilt.

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