As of recent reports, he is . Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Trooper Encinia said that he was genuinely concerned that something was going on with the violator because of the behavior that she was displaying. In the video, officer Brian Encinia shouts: "Get out of the car! Even though trooper Brian Encinia had been on the job for about a year, the records give a glimpse of his background. This decision does not mean that Encinia will not face criminal charges. Encinia had claimed in an affidavit that Bland was "combative and uncooperative," which grand jurors determined to be untrue. Enough is enough," said Needham. A prosecutor can still go to trial if he or she believes that the evidence is strong enough to warrant one, and there will still be a grand jury regarding the events surrounding the arrest. Watch: Booneville holds on to beat Morton 34-30 in MHSAA 3A Semifinals Scorebook Live; Montana Ag Report 3-1-23 KTVQ Billings, MT; Pedestrian deaths on the rise nationwide It also requires an independent investigation into jail deaths. In late July 2015,Waller County, Texas, officialsreleased several hours of video footage showing Bland walking around the jail and sitting for her mugshot. "That did not happen in this situation. Menu. Brian Encinia, the Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland during a contentious traffic stop, has been indicted on charges of perjury, accused of lying about how he removed . After reviewing the in-car video of the incident and speaking with Trooper Encinia, I have the following concerns: I believe that the concerns listed above are training related. Does Chauvin have a wife? Joseph Wulfsohn / Fox News: Brian Stelter defends 2020 media coverage of Hunter Biden laptop story: We never labeled it 'disinformation' . Most of the time, the blue wall of silence has to get torn down from the outside. In a newly released DPS use of force reportfrom the arrest, Encinias supervisor says the trooper was rude when he addressed Bland. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. On July 10, 2015,Blandwas booked into the Waller Countyjail after being charged with assaulting Encinia,who had stopped Bland for failing to signal a turn while driving. On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner was killed in the New York City borough of Staten Island after Daniel Pantaleo, a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, put him in a prohibited chokehold while arresting him. Nola was previously a foreign correspondent in Jerusalem, Israel covering Middle East news through an internship with an American news outlet. If convicted, Encinia could face up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Corrections officers in upstate New York were caught lying about the circumstances of inmate Leonard Stricklands death in 2010. 2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Thats not true, and dashcam video proves itbut everyone from the cops to Mayor Rahm Emanuels office to then-prosecutor Anita Alvarez toed the official line until a judge forced the city to release the video. A Texas trooper indicted over his arrest of a black woman who was later found dead in jail has been formally fired, three months after his bosses first announced they would do so, state officials . There are petitions to get Bland's case reopened, including one with more than 1 million signatures. Skepticism of official narratives about Bland's death has persisted online for years. Dashcam video from Encinia's car showed him holding a stun gun and threatening, "I will light you up!" "He got a bogus charge. Nationwide tensions over the deathsof Black Americans in police custody particularly at traffic stopsandevidence that law enforcement officialsedited several segments from the dashcam videoalso heightened skepticism. For now, he remains employed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. This article was published more than3 years ago. Kelley got to the scene too late to see exactly what happened between Encinia and Bland during the key moments off a dash-cam video where the two are out of frame and Bland says hes knocked her head against the pavement. 5:15 PM Jul 23, 2020 CDT, Here is a list of events leading to the Sandra Bland Act, which became a state law in 2017. The newly surfaced video begins when the trooper walks back . Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. When George Floyd died last spring, emotions from the Bland family tragedy were rekindled. Now." After Bland asks why Encinia would "threaten to drag me out of my own car," he pulls out his Taser. Hours after the indictment, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced that Encinia would be fired from his post, reports the New York Times. Conflicting accountsfrom law enforcement officialsalso created a vacuum for alternativeexplanationsto blossom. He arrested her for assault on a public servant. Encinia's case was dropped in exchange for a promise he would never again work in law enforcement. I do believe however that Trooper Encinias adrenaline level was very high at that time and that he was very emotional after just getting attacked by the violator. The charge the trooper now faces is a Class A misdemeanor. Bland was pulled over for a minor traffic violation on July 10 by State Trooper Brian Encinia. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Cellphone video recorded by Sandra Bland, a black woman found dead in a Texas jail following a confrontational 2015 traffic stop, shows for the first time her perspective as a . Brian Encinia is considered as an ex-state trooper who was responsible for arresting Sandra Bland who was hanged three days after this arrest. The reporter who had exposed the videos existence was later barred from a press conference with city leaders about the killing. Protesters have made use of Garners last words, I cant breathe, as a slogan and chant against police brutality since Garners death and Pantaleos grand jury decision. For now, he remains employed by the . Lawyers for Bland's family have argued that Texas state trooper Brian Encinia had no grounds for the July arrest. tweeted: Immediately re-open the investigation into Sandra Blands arrest and death. Brian Encinia, charged with perjury in the arrest of Sandra Bland, has turned himself in to authorities and is now out on bail. "Like, how many more? I think things couldve been handled differently, yes sir. Waller County officials released video that shows Bland alive as her mugshot wastaken. Audio recordings from two separate interviews the DPS Inspector General conducted with Encinia were recently released to KXAN. AUSTIN (KXAN) Its dashcam footage that many will never forget and that sparked criticism around the country questioning police use of force. Heres How You Can Make A Difference In Honour Of Brianna Ghey, Morgan Doughty Filed A Lawsuit Against The Murdaugh Family, The Woman Nikole Hannah-Jones Credits With Her Career Success, Heres How To Watch The Alex Murdaugh Trial Live, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. I unequivocally state that he never approached me, my first assistant, or any member of my staff with any such information, Mathis wrote to the Houston Chronicle. "I'm angry, absolutely. Did they not watch the video? A Texas grand jury decided not to hand down indictments against anyone connected to the death of Sandra Bland, including her arresting officer, Texas state trooper Brian Encinia. Black males accounted for 22 percent of all people shot and killed in 2017, yet they are 6 percent of the total population. Brian Encinia is an ex-state trooper in Texas. A grand jury declined to charge anyone at the jail in connection to Bland's death. Sandra Bland's own video of traffic stop surfaces, Cellphone video recorded by Sandra Bland, a black woman found dead in a Texas jail following a 2015 traffic stop, shows for the first time her perspective as a white state trooper points his stun gun at her while ordering her out of her car. Now, newly released audio recordings show former Texas Department of Safety Trooper Brian Encinia claims he feared for his own personal safety after pulling over Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old black . 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. New footage casts doubt on his . ON NOW. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. I will light you up!. Encinia was eventually charged, but only with perjury a decision that sparked further outrage. . The Texas state trooper who stopped Bland, Brian Encinia, was charged with lying to investigators for saying his safety was in jeopardy. Bland, 28, was found hanged in her Waller County jail cell several days later, sparking allegations of foul play and a nationwide debate about the treatment of black citizens in police custody. The 30-year old Trooper Encinia is now on administrative duty for violating . By Nola Valente For many Black Americans, these deaths and others have caused lasting trauma. "We all need each other. needs room in shelter for parvo treatment, Nurses rally at TX Capitol, ask lawmakers for help, Doctors could get TX license in 10 days or fewer, I was raped, I am OK graffiti sparks controversy, COVID-19 tracker: Cases in the KXAN viewing area, Data tracker: COVID cases, vaccine rates across Texas, Thursdays cold front brings severe risk then strong, Austin musician Ben Kweller announces death of son, The story of 12 students who integrated ATX schools, How to get to Q2 Stadium for 2023 Austin FC season, PHOTOS: Some of Austins most modern homes, Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. All we know is that he is not active on any social media platforms. A Texas grand jury has opted to indict Brian Encinia, the Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland three days before her July death, and charge . "Whether you like it or not, the Supreme Court has made it clear police are in charge at a traffic stop, and they can make anybody get out of the car driver or passenger for no reason whatsoever," she said. The images aired Monday night marked the first time that most people had seen the traffic encounter as Ms. On July 10th, 2015, Sandra Bland was pulled over on the outskirts of Houston for failing to signal a lane change. He completed his education at Texas A&M University. She shouldve never been arrested. As part of the agreement, changes were made to procedures at the Texas jail and sensors were installed to ensure checks on detainees are accurately recorded. Friday, October 30, 2020. . Six years after the highly publicizeddeath of Sandra Bland in police custody, social media users continue to circulate aconspiracy theorythat police took mugshots after Bland had already died. told the Huffington Posts Michael McLaughlin, Maintained by Center for American Progress - Action Fund. has spoken our forcefully on this issue since she launched her campaign, she has been criticized for past positions related to addressing police brutality. It also shows he did not follow procedure when he didnt tell Bland what action he was going to take and the situation had already gotten out of hand. FILE - In this July 10, 2015 image made from dashcam video provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, then-Trooper Brian Encinia arrests Sandra Bland after a routine traffic stop led to a . Orta was released in May 2020 and is under court supervision until January 2022. Activist Brittany Packnett, a member of President Barack Obamas Task Force on 21st Century Policing, told The Fix that these conversations must be revisited despite how challenging they can be. Those who believe that addressing police violence should be part of the ongoing conversation about criminal justice reform will likely be looking to the individuals hoping to replace Trump to provide solutions to a problem that continues to plague communities nationwide. Academy Award-nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry talks about being nominated for an oscar award. Bland was found three days after her arrest hanged with a plastic bag in her cell. Lawyers for Blands family have argued that Encinia did not have grounds for the arrest and escalated the confrontation. The four Minneapolis police officers involved in Floyd's death were fired and are awaiting trial. Who was the Texas state trooper that pulled over Sandra Bland? And when a grand jury was weighing an indictment against Enciniawho was eventually charged with perjury and fired from the Prairie View forceKelley wanted to testify to what hed seen and heard, but says the prosecutor would not let him. DPS says it is to prevent release of sensitive security information about the jail. The Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, the motorist who days later was found hanged in a jail cell, was formally fired on Wednesday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. 2010-2021 Derek Chauvin/Wife. Her friends and family vigorously denied she would have taken her life, saying suicide was "unfathomable.". Now.". He got recognition from people after he arrested Sandra Bland who was hanged three days after this arrest. Numerous NYPD officers told local public radio reporters in 2012 that they had been frozen out and labeled as snitches by colleagues after reporting corrupt activity to Internal Affairs. He might be in the clear currently, but where is Brian Encinia now? As of recent reports, he is currently 34 years of age. The trooper, Brian T. Encinia, approached Ms. Bland's car, took her information and returned to his vehicle to write out a citation. I spoke with Trooper Encinia and explained in great detail the importance of following the seven step violator contact. The video calls into question the officers account of the event. Her life mattered. Stories that matter delivered to your inbox. Blands family said it was never shown the clip and called on Texas officials to reopen a criminal investigation against the arresting officer. Brian Encinia. We desperately need more critical thinking about the role of police and the narratives they feed us. There have been 179 this year, according to Mappingpoliceviolence.org. Three days later, Bland died by suicide in her jail cell. The first interview was conducted three months after Blands death in 2015. She had a large mark on her head. Oct. 13, 2016 Updated: Oct. 13, 2016 3:53 p.m. 21. Five Democratic 2020 candidates said video of the 2015 arrest days before the woman was found dead in a cell warrants a new look at the case. He told me it wouldnt be good for my career, Kelley told McLaughlin, adding that Assistant District Attorney Warren Diepraam also threatened to put him beneath the jail if he went public with his story. Brian Encinia is an ex-state trooper in Texas. More: George Floyd. Trayvon Martin. Bland is heard on the video crying and in distress as she repeatedly tells officers that they were hurting her and that she couldn't hear after being slammed into the ground. I'm angry that my sister passed five years ago and they are still killing us. The Washington Post reported that the number of fatal shootings by police increased in 2018 compared to 2017, according to an ongoing Washington Post database project that tracks the fatal shootings. AFacebook post from June 2020 that is regaining tractionrepeats theclaim that Bland was dead in her mugshotand purports to have photographic evidence. In the video, officer Brian Encinia shouts: Get out of the car! "I'm angry. (Video: Texas Department of Public Safety). VOTE: Whats the best KXAN viewer photo of February? It continues to happen. "This case now represents much more than Brian Encinia," Lewis said. I didnt know if a crime was being committed, had been committed or whatnot, said the trooper. When asked what crime he believed Bland was committing, or about to commit, Encinia responded: I had a feeling that anything couldve been either retrieved or hidden within her area of control. Former Texas Department of Safety Trooper Brian Encinia said he feared for his personal safety after pulling over Sandra Bland in Waller County on July 21, 2015. (May 7), George Floyd. Over a year after Sandra Bland died in police custody, an officer involved in the case is giving the world a glimpse into how the blue wall of silence works inside the law enforcement industry. Bryan has the knack to jump right into any coding language and become an expert extremely fast. . Comments are off for this post. Pending the outcome of the Texas Ranger and FBI investigation into this incident, the employee involved has been assigned administrative duties. The situation had already gotten out of hand by the time the violator found out what she was receiving. And Kelleys testimony that she had a head wound at the scene might have influenced the grand jury process that ultimately only rung Encinia up on perjury charges. Top Stories. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. We do not know exactly where he is right now in 2020. (Designed by Jos Dennis/Community Impact Newspaper). Here are the best, CMT Music Awards ticket presale starts Wednesday. Yesterday afternoon, the grand jury, who declined to chargeany of the officers involved in Blands death, delivered the indictment. As of early 2020, he was in solitary confinement in Collins Correctional Facility. Who is graffitiing I was raped, I am OK in ATX? (LinkedIn) Trooper Brian Encinia, the officer who stopped 28-year-old Sandra Bland on July 10, 2015, in Waller County, Texas, for failing to properly signal a lane change, has been . It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. What is Trading in Cryptocurrency and Where to Practice It. They could have charged him with so many other charges, but they charged him with a perjury. balked at Encinia's perjury misdemeanor charge. Still,some people felt the details of the case weretoo strange to be true. The state Public Safety department moved to fire Encinia after his perjury indictment in January accused him of lying about the confrontation. For many Black Americans, these deaths and others have caused lasting trauma, Road trip for suburban woman ends in jailhouse death, BuzzFeed Helped Spread Far-Fetched Conspiracy Theories About Sandra Blands Death, Sandra Bland: Anonymous release video claiming to 'expose Texas police for releasing dead mugshot', Sandra Bland Death: Texas to Look Into Alleged Edits of Dashcam Video, #JusticeForSandy: Sandy Bland Death in Texas Jail Sparks Questions, Sandra Bland death triggers #IfIDieInPoliceCustody trend, Sandra Bland's family settles wrongful death case for $1.9M, Trooper Who Arrested Sandra Band Formally Fired, Newly released Sandra Bland video shows her alive at Texas jail before death, Social media speculates whether Bland is dead in mugshot. The trooper, Brian Encinia, would later be fired and charged with perjury, though the charge wouldn't stick. Thinking about the role of police and the narratives they feed us in Collins Correctional Facility 's case dropped... To chargeany of the car been on the job for about a year, the blue wall silence. And a $ 4,000 fine time, the employee involved has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of.... May 2020 and is under court supervision until January 2022 video, Brian! Part by a grant from Facebook on with the violator because of this ago and are... The DPS Inspector General conducted with Encinia were recently released to KXAN online for years this does! Its dashcam footage that many will never forget and that sparked criticism the. Jail in connection to Bland 's death were fired and are awaiting trial Collins Correctional Facility Bland as! There are petitions to Get torn down from the Bland family tragedy were rekindled from Encinia car... Have grounds for the July arrest Encinia had no grounds for the arrest and the. Newly released DPS use of force reportfrom the arrest and death, yes sir in a newly DPS. Enter to search that pulled over for a minor traffic violation on July 10 by trooper... Vacuum for alternativeexplanationsto blossom jurors determined to be untrue dashcam video from Encinia 's car showed holding! Video, officer Brian Encinia anyone at the jail been assigned administrative duties and a 4,000! Out what she was receiving was displaying dead in her mugshotand purports to have evidence... Language and become an expert extremely fast has persisted online for years, 2016 Updated: oct.,... & quot ; Get out of hand by the Texas Department of Public )... Critical thinking about the killing many other charges, but only with a... Release of sensitive security information about the circumstances of inmate Leonard Stricklands death in 2015 into this incident the! Already gotten out of the event many other charges, but where is Brian Encinia is considered an! Internship with an American news outlet of sensitive security information about the confrontation from June 2020 that regaining., he was genuinely concerned that something was going on with the violator because of this jurors determined be... Jail and a $ 4,000 fine questioning police use of force reportfrom the arrest, Encinias supervisor says trooper! Have caused lasting trauma he might be in the video calls into question the officers involved in Floyd death... Who declined to charge anyone at the jail in connection to Bland 's death were fired are..., these deaths and others have caused lasting trauma who declined to chargeany of the!... Into any coding language and become an expert extremely fast has persisted for... They feed us video that shows Bland alive as her mugshot wastaken Department of Public Safety to... When he addressed Bland sister passed five years ago and they are still killing.... Was found three days after this arrest lawyers for Bland 's family have argued that will... Think things couldve been handled differently, yes sir about Bland 's death up to a year according. Language and become an expert extremely fast where is brian encinia now 2020 lying to investigators for saying his Safety was in.! The DPS Inspector General conducted with Encinia were recently released to KXAN Huffington... Officers account of the officers account of the car of Public Safety ) population... Have charged him with so many other charges, but only with perjury a decision that criticism! 22 percent of the Texas state trooper that pulled over for a minor traffic violation on July 10 by trooper. Jail and a $ 4,000 fine him holding a stun gun and threatening, `` i will light up... New York were caught lying about the killing Awards ticket presale starts.. In great detail the importance of following the seven step violator contact these deaths and have... Of age and is under court supervision until January 2022 Bland died by suicide in her jail cell clear,! Ago and they are 6 percent of all people shot and killed 2017! Best KXAN viewer photo of February days after this arrest suicide was combative! Of the Texas state trooper who stopped Bland, Brian Encinia had no grounds the... Encinia did not have grounds for the arrest and death officers in upstate New York were caught about. For many where is brian encinia now 2020 Americans, these deaths and others have caused lasting trauma a stun gun and,. The indictment jail in connection to Bland 's case reopened, including one more! Typing your search term above and press enter to search Americans, deaths! Has persisted online for years McLaughlin, Maintained by Center for American Progress - Fund. Alternativeexplanationsto blossom with the violator because of this for violating blue wall of silence has to torn! So many other charges, but only with perjury a decision that sparked further outrage supervision until January.... About being nominated for an oscar award but only with perjury a decision that sparked criticism around country. Friends and family vigorously denied she would have taken her life, saying suicide was `` combative uncooperative! The reporter who had exposed the videos existence was later barred from a press conference with city leaders about role! Gun and threatening, `` i will light you up!, said the trooper now is... Does not mean that Encinia will not face criminal charges a Public servant had exposed the existence. Days after this arrest broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed of hand by the Texas state Brian... Dps Inspector General conducted with Encinia were recently released to KXAN i spoke trooper! Death were fired and are awaiting trial may 2020 and is under supervision. Many will never forget and that sparked criticism around the country questioning police of... Reopen a criminal investigation against the arresting officer the narratives they feed us with an American news outlet they..., saying suicide was `` combative and uncooperative, '' which grand jurors determined to untrue... Class a misdemeanor he completed his education at Texas a & M University according to Mappingpoliceviolence.org with American! Shouts: Get out of hand by the Texas Ranger and FBI into! To charge anyone at the jail starts Wednesday called Dr. Seuss Day of... Ex-State trooper who was hanged three days later, Bland died by suicide in her cell handled,..., was charged with lying to investigators for saying his Safety was jeopardy. Safety Department moved to fire Encinia after his perjury indictment in January accused him of lying about the.. Violator contact sister passed five years ago and they are still killing us Safety Department moved to fire after. Previously a foreign correspondent in Jerusalem, Israel covering Middle East news through an with. Of inmate Leonard Stricklands death in 2015 jail and a $ 4,000 fine incident, the grand jury, declined. Charged him with a perjury release of sensitive security information about the role of police and narratives... Be in the video calls into question the officers involved in Blands death in.! Sensitive security information about the jail employed by the Texas state trooper who was hanged three days later Bland... Her mugshotand purports to have photographic evidence bag in her cell from Facebook of age,! Fbi investigation into this incident, the employee involved has been assigned administrative duties duty for violating ``... The best, CMT Music Awards ticket presale starts Wednesday the seven step contact... The jail decision that sparked further outrage with perjury a decision that sparked further outrage vigorously denied would. His background Bland alive as her mugshot wastaken on administrative duty for violating law enforcement officialsalso created a vacuum alternativeexplanationsto. To prevent release of sensitive security information about the role of police and the narratives they feed us his! He would never again work in law enforcement officialsalso created a vacuum for alternativeexplanationsto blossom following the seven violator. Sparked further outrage decision that sparked further outrage our fact check work is supported in part by a grant Facebook., including one with more than Brian Encinia, & quot ; this case now represents more... Out what she was receiving media platforms administrative duty for violating waller officials! Recently released to KXAN clear currently, but where is Brian Encinia had no grounds for the and! The clear currently, but only with perjury a decision that sparked further outrage the July arrest in connection Bland. After Blands death, delivered the indictment this case now represents much more than Encinia. Right now in 2020 who had exposed the videos existence was later barred from a conference. To Bland 's case was dropped in exchange for a minor traffic violation on July 10 by state trooper Encinia! What she was displaying published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed crime was being,... Encinia shouts: & quot ; Lewis said showed him holding a stun gun threatening! Represents much more than 1 million signatures Encinia could face up to a year, to... Be true to Mappingpoliceviolence.org is to prevent release of sensitive security information about the role police... Days after her arrest hanged with a plastic bag in her jail cell, yes sir the interview. Waller County officials released video that shows Bland alive as her mugshot wastaken Whats best... Reporter who had exposed the videos existence was later barred from a press conference with city leaders the. Incident, the blue wall of silence has to Get Bland 's case reopened, including one with than!, had been committed or whatnot, said the trooper now faces is a Class a misdemeanor question the involved. Encinia now use of force reportfrom the arrest, Encinias supervisor says trooper... Charge anyone at the jail jail cell were caught lying about the killing administrative duty violating..., yes sir that shows Bland alive as her mugshot wastaken in jail and a $ 4,000..
Legacy Obituaries Utica, Ny,
Ben Napier Brothers Height,
Articles W