The Texas Department of Public Safety released dashcam video of the Sandra Bland’s traffic stop before she was arrested, jailed and found dead in her cell.
>> Wednesday update: Was Bland suicidal? Was dashcam video edited?
Trooper Brian Encinia pulled Bland over July 10 for failure to signal a turn.
The dashcam video shows an argumentative encounter that escalates when Encinia orders Bland out of the car, threatening her, “Get out of the car! I will light you up!”
After Bland got out of the car, Encinia handcuffed her and restrained her on the ground, claiming she kicked him in the shin.
Bland was found dead three days later; officials said she hanged herself in her jail cell. Her death is being investigation by the Texas Rangers and the FBI.
Encinia was put on desk duty for violating procedures, officials said.
Watch the video here (WARNING: GRAPHIC).
ARREST AFFADAVIT
The arrest affidavit — which was written by DPS Trooper Brian Encinia — detailed the officer’s account of the arrest that began when Encinia pulled over Bland’s Hyundai Azera on July 10 for failing to signal a lane change.
Encinia wrote that “Bland became combative and uncooperative” during the stop. He said she was “removed from the car,” and Bland became “more combative.”
At one point, “Bland was placed in handcuffs for officer’s safety,” Encinia wrote. But still, she continued to fight, according to the affidavit, as she kicked the officer and swung her elbows that resulted in “pain” in the officer’s right leg and “small cuts” on his right hand.”
Then, the affidavit said, “Force was used to subdue Bland to the ground to which Bland continued to fight back.” She ultimately was arrested for assault on a public servant.
The affidavit presumably leaves out some details, however. DPS officials said Friday Encinia violated the agency’s procedures and “courtesy policy.”
Agency officials haven’t said what Encinia did wrong. Encinia, who started with the agency in January 2014, has been assigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of a Texas Ranger and FBI investigation into the incident.
CAMPUS MEETING ABOUT CASE
Also Tuesday, several state leaders and law enforcement officials met on the campus of Prairie View A&M University to discuss the Chicago-area native's arrest, detention and death. (Source: Statesman)
Among the officials in the closed-door meeting were: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas; state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston; and state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston. Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp and Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Waller County Judge Trey Duhon released a statement saying that Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis explained to Bland’s family and their lawyer on Tuesday morning at an hourlong meeting that “evidence at this time indicates” that Bland committed suicide. The Harris County medical examiner previously classified Bland’s death as suicide by hanging.
Duhon reiterated that despite the indications, county officials “will treat this matter no differently” than a murder investigation “in which no stone is left unturned, including the necessary forensic testing from the jail cell” where Bland was found dead last week in the rural county 60 miles northwest of Houston.
Watch the unedited video of the traffic stop here (WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT).
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