HEMPSTEAD, Texas (AP) — 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 on Wednesday 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.
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