US committee to investigate Bland’s death, traffic stop
A committee has been formed in the United States to investigate the death of an African-American woman in a Texas jail after a traffic stop by police.
Sandra Bland (seen below) was found hanged in a prison cell at the Waller County jail in Texas on July 13 three days after she was arrested for failing to signal while changing lanes.
The Waller County district attorney, Elton Mathis, said Monday that “a review committee of select former prosecutors and defense attorneys” have been tasked with the probe to make sure “this case receives the appropriate level of scrutiny that it deserves.”
A police dashboard video shows how a routine traffic stop by Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia escalated into a verbal and physical confrontation between him and the 28-year-old Bland.
Given the county’s long history of institutional racism, Bland’s death has raised concerns that the events leading to her death could have been racially provoked.
Her death was the latest in a series of deadly encounters between unarmed African-Americans and white police officers that have sparked protests in many cities.
On Sunday, a ceremony was held for Bland at Prairie View A&M University, Bland’s alma mater.
A different protest was also held outside Encinia’s home in the suburb of Houston.
According to authorities from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the trooper has been placed on administrative leave for violating procedures and the department’s courtesy policy during the traffic stop.
According to Mathis, there are still “lingering questions” about the case.
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