Officer Brian Encinia has been indicated for perjury for testimony he gave concerning the arrest of Sandra Bland.
The grand jury reconvened this week after failing to indict any officers in the December grand jury.
Bland was arrested in July of 2015 after failing to use her turn signals in Waller County, TX. Officer Encinia allegedly became angry when Bland refused to put out her cigarette. Encinia then pulled bland out the car and slammed her head to the pavement.
Bland can be heard saying “you knocked my head in the ground and I got epilepsy.” Encinia responds “Good.” Encinia also pointed a taser at Bland and threatened to “light her up.” The incident was captured on a witness’s cell phone.
Bland’s death was ruled a suicide. After three days in jail after being unable to pay the $515 bail, she was found dead in her jail cell. Waller County officials blamed Bland’s family for her death, since they were unable to pay her bail and she could not leave prison. and no officers were initially indicted in the December grand jury.
However, the grand jury reconvened and indicted Encinia for charges of perjury. The perjury charges stem from Encinia’s claim that he pulled Bland from her car to “further conduct a safe traffic investigation,” which Encinia said in the one-page affidavit.
Perjury is a misdemeanor offense that can result in one year of prison time and a $4,000 fine. Bland’s family has also filed a wrongful death suit against the county and several officers, including Encinia.
[ThinkProgress] Featured image via Daily Kos
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