Sandra Bland's family settles for $1.

9M in wrongful death
suit
The two-page "special inspection report" from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards does not
mention Bland by name, but it was filed on July 16, 2015, three days after Bland's body was found in
her cell.
On the same day the preliminary autopsy results were released, CNN obtained a report that showed
jail guards violated policies by failing to do timely checks on inmates.
A timeline from the Waller County Sheriff's Office said a guard stopped and briefly talked with Bland
shortly after 7 a.m., but no one came back to check on her until 8:55 a.m.
-- Providing continuing education for jailer screening
Authorities ruled Bland's death a suicide, but her family cast doubt, saying she would have never
killed herself.
Larry Simmons, an attorney for Waller County, said in a statement that both sides still needed to
iron out the final details of the settlement. which were supposed to remain confidential until after it
was finalized.
"Bland began swinging her elbows at me and then kicked my right leg in the shin," Encinia said in
the statement. "Force was used to subdue Bland to the ground, to which Bland continued to fight
back."

The settlement includes compensation for Bland's death

in custody as well as several changes to jail procedures in Waller County, Texas. Bland was found
dead in her jail cell three days after she was pulled over for failing to use her turn signal in July
2015.
On Thursday, the Texas Department of Public Safety, which employs state troopers, said the agency
was not part of the wrongful death settlement.
Nevertheless, Bland's mother, Geneva Reed-Veal, said the settlement is a clear victory.
Questions surrounding death

-- Providing an on-duty staff nurse or emergency medical technician for all shifts
Three days after Bland was booked into jail, her body was found hanging in her cell.
The state report noted that there should be a "visual, face-to-face observation of all inmates by
jailers no less than once every 60 minutes."
Bland refused to get out of her car. The trooper opened her door and tried to pull her out of the
vehicle.
"You can step on out now," Encinia replied.
Dashcam video shows the encounter Bland had with Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia started as a
normal conversation but grew tense after Encinia asked her to put out her cigarette.
"I am in my car. Why do I have to put out my cigarette?" Bland said.
Bland's death sparked outrage from those who said she never should have been arrested in the first
place. Protesters said her arrest after failing to use a turn signal showed bias and excessive use of
force by police against African-Americans.
At one point, after Encinia aimed what appeared to be a Taser at Bland, she stepped out of her car.
Later, she can be heard saying: "You're a real man now. You just slammed me, knocked my head in
the ground."
"The Waller County defendants also emphasize they vigorously deny any fault," he noted in a
statement.
According to Simmons, the proposed settlement agreement does not involve admissions of
wrongdoing.
A controversial arrest
"Right now my emotion is joy, pure joy," she told HLN's Mike Galanos on Thursday. "There's a sense
of God's justice for me."
In the arrest warrant, Encinia said Bland was out of control, calling her "combative and
uncooperative."
After the wrongful death settlement, "The Waller County judge will be seeking passage of state
legislation for more funding for local jails regarding intake and booking, screening and other jail
support," family attorney Lambert said.
As of now, Simmons said the settlement had yet to be completed, and still required approval from
the Waller County Commissioners Court.
In the video, Encinia told Bland she was under arrest. She repeatedly asked why. The trooper did not
answer, other than to say, "I am giving you a lawful order."