Mom of Sandra Bland talks life after daughter's death and move to Texas

Thursday, July 13, 2017

WALLER, Texas -- Sandra Bland's mother said Tuesday she has moved to Waller County permanently to support families experiencing racial injustice.

Geneva Reed-Veal collected her daughter's last belongings from the Waller County Jail where she died two years ago.

"It's time for my journey here," Reed-Veal said. "If I have to stay here forever, I will do that. I am on a mission."

Two years ago, ex-DPS Trooper Brian Encinia pulled Bland over in a traffic stop that would start a life-changing sequence of events. Bland was taken to jail on suspicion of assaulting an officer and was later found dead in the Waller County Jail.

The Harris County Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide, a finding Reed-Veal still disputes.

She said the $1.9 million settlement she received from the civil lawsuit against Waller County and DPS is helping to fund her new calling. She wants to build affordable student housing for students at Prairie View A&M University.

"That's going to be Sandy's Place of Peace, the other is going to be like a restoration house for unemployed people, teaching job training skills and that kind of stuff," Reed-Veal said.

Full video from the Sandra Bland traffic stop

She said she is continuing her daughter's legacy of activism.

"I'm gonna show up in Waller County and I'm gonna bring some fire to this little town," Reed-Veal said. "You won't do this to anyone else's baby. And that's how I feel right now. I feel like I have to be this protector, this protector of kids."

PHOTOS: Sandra Bland investigation

Reed-Veal said she is still trying to locate Bland's cell phone. She said it was not in the box of belongings she received Monday from the Waller County Jail.

Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith said he welcomes Reed-Veal to the county.

Encinia did not agree to be interviewed as a part of this story.

Two years later: A look back at the Sandra Bland case

Here is a look at everything you need to know about the Sandra Bland case.

It has been two years since Sandra Bland died.

The Prairie View A&M graduate was due to start a temporary job as a summer program associate at the school when she was pulled over for failing to signal a lane change.

Days later, the 28-year-old was dead, setting into motion a long and emotionally charged journey for answers for Bland's family and the Prairie View community.

Here is a timeline of events leading to this somber anniversary:

July 10, 2015

DPS Trooper Brian Encinia pulled Bland over, and took her into custody on accusations she assaulted him. During her intake interview, Bland told officers she attempted suicide after the loss of a baby the year before.

July 13, 2015

After refusing breakfast at 6:30 a.m., Bland requested to make a phone call from her cell, but no call was made. Around 9 a.m., Bland was found hanging in her cell, allegedly after she fashioned a noose with a plastic bag liner.

Exclusive: Sandra Bland's co-inmate recalls conversation before death

Alexandria Pyle says she spoke with Sandra Bland the day before authorities say Bland killed herself in the jail cell

Officials promise to make sure 'no stone is unturned' in Sandra Bland death investigation

Friends and family packed a chapel at Prairie View A&M Tuesday night in memory of Sandra Bland

July 14, 2015

More than 100 protesters marched from Waller County Jail to the courthouse to demand an investigation into Bland's death.

July 20, 2015

Officials released jailhouse footage in the Bland case.

July 21, 2015

Dashcam video released from Bland's arrest shows how the traffic stop escalated into a shouting confrontation between her and Encinia.

Authorities say they've asked the FBI and DOJ to help investigate the case

Later that day, a memorial was held for Bland on the campus of Prairie View A&M University.

July 22, 2015

Glitches recorded at the 25- and 26-minute mark of the dashcam video led some people to question whether the video had been edited. DPS said in a statement the video had not been altered. Officials said they requested the FBI examine the video to ensure its integrity.

July 23, 2015

Bland had no defensive injuries on her hands that would indicate a struggle, according to an autopsy. Injuries on her wrists were consistent with a struggle while she was handcuffed, and the medical examiner said marks on Bland's neck were consistent with suicide.

In a two-page inspection report, Texas Commission on Jail Standards found Waller County Jail did not make timely inmate checks.

FULL VIDEO: Waller County officials release new Sandra Bland video