Texas upholds decision to fire trooper in Sandra Bland traffic stop
HEMPSTEAD, Texas -- The Texas Department of Public Safety is upholding its decision to fire the trooper involved in the Sandra Bland traffic stop.
The DPS announced today that Trooper Brian Encinia, who was terminated following the July 10 stop, won't get his job back.
A grand jury indicted Encinia on a misdemeanor perjury charge for allegedly lying about the circumstances of his arrest of Bland last summer. If convicted he would face up to one year in prison and a $4,000 fine.
The 28-year-old Bland was stopped last year for an improper lane change. She was arrested on suspicion of assaulting the trooper. Authorities say Bland hanged herself in her jail cell several days later.
The Texas Department of Public Safety announced after the indictment that it would begin the process of firing Encinia.
