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Family of Sandra Bland files federal lawsuit over her controversial death in police custody Family of Sandra Bland files federal lawsuit over her controversial death in police custody
(5 months later)
The family of Sandra Bland, a black woman who died in Texas police custody, filed a lawsuit at the federal courthouse on Tuesday.The family of Sandra Bland, a black woman who died in Texas police custody, filed a lawsuit at the federal courthouse on Tuesday.
Ms Bland was arrested on 10 July in Waller County and was found dead in Hempstead on 13 July. Police say the 28-year-old Illinois women hanged herself. Family members have disputed this saying she would never have taken her own life.Ms Bland was arrested on 10 July in Waller County and was found dead in Hempstead on 13 July. Police say the 28-year-old Illinois women hanged herself. Family members have disputed this saying she would never have taken her own life.
Family holding hands as they talk about the #SandraBland they miss. "She was phenomenal. She was outspoken." pic.twitter.com/g2hYr8aeqO
Geneva Reed-Veal, Ms Bland's mother, filed the lawsuit in the US District Court Southern District of Texas.Geneva Reed-Veal, Ms Bland's mother, filed the lawsuit in the US District Court Southern District of Texas.
“The bottom line is, she never should have been inside of a jail — period,” she said during a televised press conference on Tuesday morning.“The bottom line is, she never should have been inside of a jail — period,” she said during a televised press conference on Tuesday morning.
Bland family leaving courthouse after filing federal lawsuit #SandraBland #hounews pic.twitter.com/6NWNwCzQhU
The lawsuit names Brian Encinia, the officer who arrested Ms Bland, the entire Waller County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.The lawsuit names Brian Encinia, the officer who arrested Ms Bland, the entire Waller County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Her sister Sharon Cooper said Ms Bland shouldn't have been in police custody to begin with.Her sister Sharon Cooper said Ms Bland shouldn't have been in police custody to begin with.
“We are three weeks out from Sandra’s death. We're a week out from burying her and we still don’t know what happened to her,” she said.“We are three weeks out from Sandra’s death. We're a week out from burying her and we still don’t know what happened to her,” she said.
The case is currently being reviewed by the FBI and the Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis.The case is currently being reviewed by the FBI and the Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis.