Sandra Bland's Death Launches New Hearings On Jail Suicides
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants a review of jail safety in Texas following the death of Sandra Bland in a rural county lockup.
Bland, a black woman, was found dead in a Waller County jail three days after a confrontation with a white state trooper.
Patrick said Tuesday that lawmakers will begin holding hearings next month about suicides in state jails. Texas has seen an average of 25 suicides in county lockups each year since 2012.
Authorities say Bland hanged herself with a garbage bag, a finding her family has questioned. Earlier in the month, Bland's family filed a lawsuit against Trooper Brian Encinia and other officials, saying it was a last resort after being unable to get enough information about the case.
Democratic Senator John Whitmire did not say whether Bland's family would be invited to testify to lawmakers.
Trooper Encinia had pulled the 28-year-old Bland over for failing to signal a lane change.
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