Texas Trooper Who Arrested Sandra Bland Is Officially Fired

[Miles Archer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sandra-bland-trooper-fired_us_56d774e9e4b0000de4035a51

The Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, the motorist who days later was found hanged in a jail cell, was formally fired on Wednesday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Trooper Brian Encinia was fired after failing to rebut disciplinary charges leveled against him in January, Public Safety Director Steven McCraw wrote in a letter of final termination. Encinia had been accused of failing to act courteously during his July traffic stop of Bland, prolonging her detention, violating general orders and perjury.

Encinia, who also has been indicted on a criminal charge of perjury, stopped Bland for what police said was failure to signal a lane change and arrested her after a confrontation that began when he ordered her to put out her cigarette. Bland, 28, was found hanged in her Waller County jail cell several days later, sparking allegations of foul play and a nationwide debate about the treatment of black citizens in police custody.

Video of the traffic stop and Bland's death -- which the county coroner ultimately ruled suicide -- prompted investigations by the Texas Rangers and the FBI.

[virtualobserver]

1. He should have been fired and then prosecuted for assault the minute that the video came out

[malaise]

3. +1,000 n/t

[That Guy 888]

2. He should be prosecuted and convicted. n/t

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

4. It's a start.

Now keep going.