Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick added police safety and jail safety issues, as well as sanctuary cities and veteran benefits to the Senate’s to-do list Friday ahead of the next scheduled legislative session in 2017.
Sandra Bland
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawmakers Zero in on Jail Standards, Mental Health
To the better-known name of Sandra Bland — whose death by apparent suicide in the Waller County Jail this summer sparked national outrage — state Sen. John Whitmire on Tuesday linked three others with mental or emotional problems who have recently died in custody.
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Criminal Justice
Sandra Bland Grand Jury Judge Faults New Selection System
A Waller County judge who helped choose grand jurors to consider the evidence in the death of Sandra Bland is not happy about the state’s new grand jury selection process, saying it unfairly puts too much of the selection process on judges.
Posted inState Government
Interim Committee to Take a Closer Look at Jail Safety
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. John Whitmire on Tuesday announced the creation of an interim jail safety study committee following concerns in the wake of the hanging death of Sandra Bland and the deaths of other jail inmates.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Bland’s Mother Sues DPS, Waller County
Alleging that Sandra Bland’s “rights and privileges as a citizen of the United States” were violated, Bland’s mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the Texas Department of Public Safety, Waller County and several law enforcement officers.
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Criminal Justice
DPS Trooper Warned in 2014 of “Unprofessional Conduct”
The Texas Department of Public Safety trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old black woman who was found hanged three days later in the Waller County Jail, was warned about his “unprofessional conduct” in 2014 while he was still a probationary trooper, according to his personnel file.
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Criminal Justice
McCraw Hammered at Hearing on Bland Case
State lawmakers grilled Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw on Thursday, voicing concerns about arrest procedures used by state police and pressing the agency head to explain the July 10 arrest of Sandra Bland, who was found hanged three days later in the Waller County Jail.
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Criminal Justice
Mental Health Jail Check Failed in Bland Case
The Waller County Jail failed to complete a two-part mental health screening process as required by law during Sandra Bland’s booking process, according to the state jail commission and at least one public policy group.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Bland Arrest, Death Prompt Legislative Hearing
Following the controversial arrest and death of Sandra Bland in Waller County, a Houston lawmaker will convene a Texas House committee hearing Thursday to look at trooper arrest procedures and state jail standards.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Besieged County Officials Release More Tapes
Deluged with death threats and trying to dispel rumors that they covered up the real circumstances of Sandra Bland’s death, Waller County officials released more booking and jail videos Tuesday.