texas

Sandra Bland's Family Settles for $1.9M in Wrongful Death Suit

The family of Sandra Bland, who was found dead in a Texas jail after a routine traffic stop last year, has reached a $1.9 million settlement with the Waller County Sheriff's Office, family attorney Cannon Lambert confirmed to NBC News. 

The settlement also includes changes to jail procedures. The Waller County Sheriff's Office has agreed to install automated sensors to assure accurate and timely cell checks at the jail and staff an on-duty nurse around-the-clock, Lambert said. 

Bland, a 28-year-old African-American woman from suburban Chicago, was found hanging in her jail cell in July 2015, days after she was arrested for failing to use her turn signal. 

The situation escalated after Bland appeared to pull out her cellphone and record the stop. Trooper Brian Ecinia later said she was becoming "combative and uncooperative." Bland was taken to jail and booked on a third-degree felony charge.

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