Bland was pulled over for an improper lane change on July 10, and the interaction quickly escalated to the officer brandishing his taser and threatening “I will light you up,” when Bland refused to put her cigarette out and get out of the vehicle.
Bland was then held in a Waller County jail for three days, unable to come up with the $500 bail. On the third day, she was found hanging in her cell with a plastic garbage bag around her neck.
The woman’s family and supporters have questioned the official suicide ruling, noting that she was about to start a new career. She had also been critical of police on social media.
Encinia had been on paid administrative duty since Bland’s death, and is currently facing a wrongful death lawsuit by Bland’s family. The case is set to go to trial in January 2017.
The perjury charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The grand jury will not be issuing any more indictments and have concluded their investigation into the case.
