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Larry R. Rogers Jr. Calls Motion for Summary Judgment in Sandra Bland Case “Premature”

On Behalf of | Nov 16, 2015 | Larry R. Rogers Jr., Wrongful Death

Attorney Larry R. Rogers Jr., one of the attorneys representing Bland’s family in their wrongful death suit, commented on Waller County’s attempt to dismiss the case.

Waller County officials have filed a motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Sandra Bland, the young woman who was found dead in jail after authorities placed her in custody after a traffic stop confrontation with a state trooper.

Larry R. Rogers Jr., one of the attorneys representing Bland’s family in the suit, called the motion “premature,” arguing that the plaintiffs have not received any information regarding the Department of Public Safety’s investigation into the incident, nor have they had a chance to depose Elsa Magnus and Oscar Prudente, the jail employees who processed Bland.

Bland, a young woman from Chicago, was taken into custody after an altercation arose between her and a state trooper during a traffic stop. Three days later, Bland was found dead in her jail cell. She had reportedly hung herself with a plastic bag.

The wrongful death lawsuit alleges that Brian Encina, the state trooper who pulled Bland over, and the jail’s employees who processed Bland were deliberately indifferent to Bland’s safety and her rights. This incident helped ignite the Black Lives Matter movement.

Last week, lawyers for the defendants filed a 39-page motion for summary judgment in an attempt to dismiss the wrongful death suit. In the motion, the defendants deny liability for Bland’s death, saying that Bland showed no indicators that suicide watch was needed.