A Texas police officer has been charged with perjury over his confrontation with a woman who died in jail shortly after being arrested, last summer.
Sandra Bland was arrested during a heated traffic stop captured on film.
Ms. Bland’s death three days after her arrest was ruled a suicide and the sheriff’s officials and jailers were cleared of any crime. But it sparked national headlines for days amid a debate about the police use of force against African Americans.
According to BBC News, the arresting officer, Brian Encinia, has been charged with allegedly lying about it, a prosecutor announced after a day of grand jury discussions. Hours later, he was fired from his job.
The perjury charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
