Sandra Bland's Cellphone Video Shows Disturbing New Footage

WALLER COUNTY, TX — Nearly four years after Naperville native Sandra Bland was found dead in a Texas jail cell, new cellphone footage has led her family to demand that her case be reopened. The video — what appears to be footage Bland recorded of her July, 10, 2015, traffic stop with her cellphone — shows ex-Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia pointing a Taser at her and threatening to "light her up."

Bland, who was reportedly pulled over for failing to signal, was arrested and found dead in her cell three days later from what was ruled a suicide.

The footage, uncovered by a non-profit news organization called the Investigative Network, was aired on WFAA in Dallas, according to the Associated Press. Since then, it has gotten more than a million views on YouTube.

After Bland's death, the Texas Department of Public Safety released dashcam footage of her traffic stop and subsequent arrest. The video, which appeared to skip at some points, led some viewers to question whether the dashcam footage of Bland's arrest had been altered.

According to Associated Press, a lawyer for Bland's family said they had never seen the footage Bland filmed on her cellphone. The Texas Department of Public Safety reportedly said the cellphone video had been part of a larger hard drive of evidence that Bland's family was recently made aware of.

Former state trooper Encinia had claimed that he feared for his safety after he pulled Bland over for allegedly failing to signal before a lane change. Encinia was later fired from the Texas State Police and charged with perjury, but that charge was dropped under the condition that Encinia never work in law enforcement again.

Bland, who had traveled to Texas to start a job at Texas A&M University, was found dead in her jail cell on July 13, 2015. Authorities said she died of self-inflicted asphyxiation.

The circumstances leading up to and surrounding Bland's death led many, including members of her family, to suspect police brutality. With Bland's own cellphone video being made public, new fuel has been added to those long-standing suspicions.

More on Patch:

• Unable To Make Bail, Sandra Bland Killed Herself: Officials
• Texas Public Safety Denies Altering Sandra Bland Dash Cam Footage
• Firing Of State Trooper Who Pulled Over Sandra Bland Upheld
• Former Jail Guard Falsified Records In Sandra Bland's Death: Report
• 'Say Her Name' Explores Death of Sandra Bland