A trial date of January 23, 2017 by U.S. District Judge David Hittner has been set for the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Sandra Bland, despite the July 13, 2015 suicide ruling by the medical examiner.
“That’s right. It’s undetermined,” was Hittner’s response when asked whether he disputed the suicide claims.
The Bland family is fighting the suicide ruling by seeking unspecified damages from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the state trooper who arrested Sandra (Brian Encinia), Waller County and two jailers.
The Bland family’s lead attorney, Cannon Lambert, has made statements to Judge Hittner explaining the multiple reasons why he will not accept the suicide ruling. Lambert’s legal team still hasn’t had the opportunity to examine the investigation report of the case by the Texas Rangers following Bland’s death.
“I’m not okay,” said Sandra Bland’s mother, Geneva Reed-Veal, after the hearing. “My daughter is gone. I walked into these (courthouse) doors with continuations, dates and delays. I’m coming out of these doors with continuations, dates and delays.”
