WATCH: The family of Sandra Bland said in a news conference Tuesday they’re filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Waller County officials and the officer who arrested Bland. The 28-year-old was apprehended on July 10 after a traffic stop and was found dead in her cell three days later.
HOUSTON – The family of a black woman found dead in a Texas jail three days after a confrontation with a white state trooper filed a wrongful-death lawsuit Tuesday against the officer and other officials, saying it was a last resort after being unable to get enough information about the case.
Sandra Bland, 28, was found dead in her Waller County jail cell on July 13. Bland’s family and others have criticized Trooper Brian Encinia, who stopped Bland for failing to signal a lane change.
Video of the stop shows that the confrontation quickly escalated after Encinia asked Bland to put out her cigarette. Bland eventually was arrested for allegedly assaulting the white trooper.
READ MORE: Texas jail releases more footage of Sandra Bland before her death
“This family’s motivation is that they don’t want to see this sort of thing happen again to another family,” family attorney Cannon Lambert said during a news conference.
Lambert also expressed dismay that Encinia remains on administrative leave rather than being fired.
Bland’s death came after nearly a year of heightened national scrutiny of police and their dealings with black suspects.
Lambert called on the Department of Justice to launch its own investigation.
Authorities said Bland hanged herself inside her jail cell. Her family has questioned that finding.
READ MORE: Sandra Bland autopsy indicates death was suicide, but family points to booking inconsistencies
The lawsuit names the Texas Department of Public Safety, Encinia, the Waller County Sheriff’s Office and two jailers, Lambert said. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial for unspecified damages.
The Department of Public Safety said in a statement that it had not received notice of the lawsuit “and we do not discuss potential or pending litigation.” Calls to Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis and other county officials were not immediately returned.
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Associated Press writers David Warren and Jamie Stengle contributed to this report from Dallas.
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