Brian Encinia, the Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland for a minor traffic violation has been formally fired.
According to The Chicago Tribune, Encinia can still appeal the decision which comes on the heels of being indicted by a grand jury last December on perjury charges. Larkin Eakin, Encinia’s attorney has previously called the indictment “unjustified ” and said his client was concerned for his safety.
Bland’s death, which the coroner ruled a suicide, sparked national outrage and protests among many who believe fowl play was responsible for the 28 year old’s death. Dashcam footage of the encounter between Encinia and the Naperville, ILL., native showed it quickly escalated resulting in Bland being forcibly removed from her vehicle for failing to signal while switching lanes.
Since Bland’s arrest, Encinia has been on paid desk duty and has remained on the payroll since the Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw announced the agency would begin the process of firing him.
Bland was arrested for assault July 10, 2015 and taken to the Waller County jail. Three days later she was found hanging in her cell with a plastic garbage bag around her neck.