HOUSTON – A federal judge set a Jan. 23, 2017, trial date for the civil case brought by the family of Sandra Bland against the Department of Public Service, the Waller County Jail and three employees.
Bland was found dead in a Waller County Jail July 13, three days after she was arrested during a traffic stop. Authorities say she hanged herself, a finding her family has questioned.
Cannon Lambert, one of the Bland family attorneys, said he could not say whether or not there was a cover-up during the death investigation.
I don't know the answers now. I'm damn sure I want to get them. It's my charge and my responsibility to get [the family] the answers they need,” Lambert said.
At the hearing, the judge listened to parties discuss what evidence could eventually be turned over to the plaintiffs, Bland's family. The judge did not rule Thursday.
Lambert said, at this time, it could not agree to the court that Bland committed suicide because he does not have all the reports by law enforcement, specially a report by the Texas Rangers on her death.
The attorney for Waller County, Larry Simmons, said he has evidence that Bland was seeing a counselor, but the attorney for Bland's family said he does not have evidence to suggest that.
A group of roughly 50 people marched in around the courthouse in support of the lawsuit and Bland's family Thursday. They said they wanted answers in Bland's death. Some held signs.
“We're here to show support for Sandra Bland's family and her sisters,” Stevens Orozco said.
Waller County prosecutor Warren Diepraam said in July that Bland's death was suicide by hanging.
Diepraam said the medical examiner found no injuries consistent with struggle. There was, however, a bruise on Bland's neck consistent with suicide.
The federal civil case is different than a county grand jury convened in Waller county that will decide if criminal charges will be filed against county staff.
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