Judge Drops Perjury Charge Against Ex-DPS Trooper Who Arrested Sandra Bland

WALLER, TX — The misdemeanor perjury charge against the former Texas Department of Public Safety Deputy who arrested Sandra Bland in 2015, have been dropped.

State District Judge Albert McCaig, Jr dismissed the perjury charge after Ex-DPS Trooper Brian Encina, based on the prosecutor’s recommendation. (Want to get daily updates about traffic news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

The recommendation was based on an agreement Encina, who was fired by the Texas Department of Public Safety, surrendered his Texas Peace Officer’s License and agreed to never seek employment as a peace officer in Texas or anywhere else again, KRIV reported.

Encina was indicted by a grand jury in January 2016, alleging that he lied about why he removed Bland from her vehicle and arrested her in July 2015, KTRK reported.

Bland was initially stopped for failing to use her turn signal, and Encina, who had a tense argument with Bland during the traffic stop, said he removed her from the car to conduct a safe traffic investigation, according to a Houston Chronicle report.

Three days after her arrest, Bland was found hanging in her cell at the Waller County Jail.

Meanwhile, McCaig’s ruling sparked outrage from the Bland family and the Greater Houston Coalition for Justice, who condemned Wednesday’s ruling.

"It's a shame that they didn't take the time to contact the family ahead of their decision to do what they said they would not do,” attorneys representing Bland’s family said in a statement. “They assured the family they would see this through. This is the reason why the community has a hard time trusting the system."

Image: Shutterstock’

Follow Us On Facebook: Engage with your neighbors in the Metro Houston area and keep up with the talk of the day by liking one of our Facebook pages. Houston / Midtown Houston / Houston Heights / Galleria - River Oaks / Bellaire / Meyerland / Humble-Kingwood / Conroe-Montgomery County / Sugar Land / Pasadena / The Woodlands / Clear Lake