Whether we’re dealing with an individual’s personal problems or issues that plague a whole society, it’s hard to see how we have any hope of solving them if we don’t admit they exist.
It shouldn’t be controversial to say that at no point during a routine traffic stop should someone live in fear of their lives. And indeed, for many citizens, they only spark frustration over having to pay a ticket.
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Unfortunately, this does not reflect the experiences of many black citizens. Based on reports of police shootings of unarmed drivers such as Philando Castille and Walter Scott, there is a very real reason to be concerned for their safety during what should be routine and mundane.
And the full video taken by 28-year-old Sandra Bland not only underscores that nightmarish reality, but reintroduces interest in her case.
Bland was making a trip to the grocery store when Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Brian Encinia pulled her over.
As WFAA reported , Bland was stopped for failing to use her turn signal as she changed lanes, but was arrested.
Describing the encounter to investigators, Encinia said, “My safety was in jeopardy at more than one time.”
However, Bland’s video of the events not only casts serious doubt on that claim, but on what official reports say happened following her arrest.
Three days after Encinia arrested her, Bland was found dead in a Waller County jail cell. Her death was ruled a suicide.
Bland’s family had not seen the video until its recent release, but believe it gives cause to re-open the criminal case against Encinia as they suspect DPS withheld it as evidence.
As her sister, Shante Needham, said, “Open up the case, period. We also know they have an extremely, extremely good cover-up system.”
The video begins with Encinia leaning into Bland’s car and telling her to get out.
She asks why she is being apprehended, when nothing about her failure to signal should warrant anything besides a ticket.
Bland also said that Encinia opened her car door and threatened to drag her out as this discussion continues.
At this point, Encinia draws his stun gun and begins to brandish it, yelling “get out of the car!”
Bland then expresses disbelief at this fact and asks if Encinia is going to stun her.
Although he doesn’t do this while the video is being recorded, Encinia does threaten to “light her up.”
At this point, Bland does get out of the car and says, “You’re doing all of this for a failure to signal.”
He then directs her to the side of the road, at which point Bland declares her intent to take the matter to court.
As he continues pointing the stun gun at her, Encinia tells Bland to get off the phone.
She then replies that she’s not on the phone and says, “I have a right to record, this is my property.”
He then changes his command to tell her to put her phone down.
After Bland’s death, Encinia was fired from DPS and indicted by a grand jury for perjury.
As WFAA reported , this charge was dropped after he gave up his license and agreed never to work as a cop again.
Nobody else was indicted for Bland’s death.
The full video contains Bland’s recording of the traffic stop.
