Texas grand jury refuses to issue indictment in Sandra Bland's death

HOUSTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A grand jury declined to issue indictments related to the July arrest and subsequent death of Sandra Bland, who died in police custody.

By determining no felony was committed by the sheriff's office or the jail where she was held, Bland's death was in effect ruled a suicide. Her family said they expected the outcome.

"I simply can't have faith in a system that's not inclusive of my family," said Bland's mother, Geneva Reed-Veal, surrounded by her four daughters. "We're supposed to have an investigation to show us what's happening. We know what we've been listening to in the media ... but we don't have any real evidence."

Bland, who is black, was pulled over July 10 for failing to signal a lane change and was arrested in a confrontation with the officers. She was taken to jail and found hanging in her cell three days later. Her death was ruled a suicide, but family members and protesters disputed the conclusions, alleging she was a victim of police brutality and racism. Bland was an outspoken online supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement before her arrest.

On Tuesday, Bland's family lawyers asked prosecutors to file criminal charges against state trooper Brian Encinia, who arrested Bland. But even if the grand jury passed on indicting officers at the jail or sheriff's office, the investigation is not closed and criminal charges could still be filed against Encinia by the grand jury next month.

"It was a false arrest," said Cannon Lambert, Bland family lawyer in a federal lawsuit against Texas authorities. "He used excessive force. And those are things that should be prosecuted."

Protesters, gathered in front of the Wailer County Courthouse, went a step further, demanding Attorney General Loretta Lynch to mediate the case.

"The Sandra Bland case is just the latest in a string of injustices and miscarriages of justice in this country," said protester Deric Muhammad.

Grand jurors considered evidence collected by five special prosecutors named by the county's district attorney. Jurors will meet again in January to determine other aspects of the case.

In grand jury proceedings, only prosecutors are permitted to appear before jurors to present evidence. The proceedings are held in secret.