TROOPER TURNS HIMSELF IN

  

The DPS trooper who was indicted on a perjury charge Wednesday, turned himself in Thursday afternoon at the Waller Co. Jail.

Brian Encinia is charged with perjury in the arrest of Sandra Bland, who died after her arrest last summer.

Encinia arrived at the Waller County Jail in Hempstead, Thursday afternoon, was booked then released on bond.

A grand jury indicted Encinia yesterday on a misdemeanor perjury charge for allegedly lying about the circumstances of his arrest of Bland last summer. If convicted he would face up to one year in prison and a $4,000 fine.

The 28-year-old Bland was stopped in July for an improper lane change. She was arrested on suspicion of assaulting the trooper. Authorities say Bland hanged herself in her jail cell several days later.

The Texas Department of Public Safety announced after the indictment that it would begin the process of firing Encinia.

Encinia’s lawyer says that termination is unwarranted and his client will fight it.