The family of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old African-American woman found dead in a Texas jail cell after a controversial arrest, will file a federal lawsuit in Houston on Tuesday, KHOU.com reports. According to KHOU.com, a news release from an attorney representing Sandra Bland’s family says the suit will be filed against state trooper Brian Encinia “and others responsible for the death of Sandra Bland.” Local Houston outlet KTRK also reported on the lawsuit. “We are going to be filing suit this morning … we are looking to hold Waller County accountable,” Cannon Lambert, the Bland family attorney, told WGN radio Tuesday…
The family of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old African-American woman found dead in a Texas jail cell after a controversial arrest, will file a federal lawsuit in Houston on Tuesday, KHOU.com reports.
According to KHOU.com, a news release from an attorney representing Sandra Bland’s family says the suit will be filed against state trooper Brian Encinia “and others responsible for the death of Sandra Bland.” Local Houston outlet KTRK also reported on the lawsuit.
“We are going to be filing suit this morning … we are looking to hold Waller County accountable,” Cannon Lambert, the Bland family attorney, told WGN radio Tuesday.
Encinia pulled Bland over in Waller County on July 10, after she failed to signal for a lane change. The encounter quickly became contentious, and Bland was arrested on a charge of assault on a public servant. She was ultimately jailed in lieu of a $5,000 bond.
Three days after her arrest, Bland was found dead at the Waller County jail, about 60 miles northwest of Houston.
An autopsy conducted by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences concluded Bland had used a plastic bag to hang herself.
Family members dispute the autopsy findings and contend Bland was killed by someone inside the jail.
Bland’s death is being reviewed by the FBI and Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis. Neither agency has commented on the potential lawsuit.
Bland’s sister, Sharon Cooper, told WGN that authorities have not been forthcoming with information. “We’re not being told a thing — radio silence,” she said.
“We just don’t want this to happen to another family. … I would not wish this on my worst enemy,” Cooper said .
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