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HEMPSTEAD, Texas (AP) — The latest in the indictment of a Texas state trooper in connection to a contentious traffic stop and arrest of a black woman who later died in jail (all times local):
7:10 p.m.
Sandra Bland's sister says the perjury indictment returned against the trooper who arrested Bland is "bittersweet" for her family.
Sharon Cooper spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday about a Texas grand jury charging Trooper Brian Encinia with lying about the circumstances of his traffic stop and arrest of Bland, a black woman who died three days later in jail.
Cooper said Bland's family has always believed Bland's death was "largely impacted" by her encounter with Encinia.
Bland family attorney Cannon Lambert called the indictment "six months too late" but said Encinia "deserves it."
Lambert said he had also wanted to see Encinia charged with assault, battery or abuse of his official power.
Hours after Encinia's indictment, the Texas Department of Public Safety said it would move to fire him.
The AP couldn't immediately reach Encinia for comment.
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6:10 p.m.
The Texas Department of Public Safety says it will fire the trooper indicted for perjury related to his traffic stop and arrest of Sandra Bland, a black woman who died three days later in jail.
The department said in a statement Wednesday that it would "begin termination proceedings" against Brian Encinia.
Encinia was indicted earlier Wednesday for allegedly lying in an affidavit about the July traffic stop in which he arrested Bland.
Dashcam video shows the traffic stop quickly became confrontational, with Encinia holding a stun gun and yelling, "I will light you up!" after Bland refused to get out of her car.
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4:15 p.m.
A Texas state trooper has been charged with perjury for conduct related to a contentious traffic stop of a black woman who was eventually arrested for assault and then died three days later in jail.
A grand jury indicted Trooper Brian Encinia on Wednesday with the misdemeanor charge. Encinia has been on desk duty since 28-year-old Sandra Bland was found dead in her cell in July. Her death was ruled a suicide.
Dashcam video shows the traffic stop quickly became confrontational, with Encinia holding a stun gun and yelling, "I will light you up!" after Bland refused to get out of her car.
Encinia is accused of lying about how he removed Bland from her vehicle
The same grand jury declined last month to indict sheriff's officials or jailers.
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