Waller County responds to Sandra Bland family lawsuit

HOUSTON – A day after the family of Sandra Bland filed a lawsuit against Waller County and a Texas trooper, the county is responding.

The last four counts of the lawsuit zero in on Waller County and what the suit alleges it did not do while Bland was behind bars.

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According to the lawsuit, the county is liable for the actions of Elsa Magnus and Oscar Prudente, who work at the jail and were present while Bland was in custody. They are also named individually as defendants.

"Waller County Jail personnel were inadequately trained on the procedures for recognition, supervision, documentation and handling of inmates who are mentally disabled, and/or potentially suicidal," the lawsuit claims

On Tuesday, Tuesday about the suit and why they say they say they filed it.

"There are inconsistencies that have been documented that concern us," Bland family attorney Cannon Lambert said.

The suit charges that Waller County is responsible, particularly in relation to Bland's mental state, because Bland wasn't properly screened.

On a handwritten suicide screening form, Bland indicated that she felt very depressed and that she once attempted suicide by taking pills after losing a baby.

But on a second screening document, the second page has "No" written next to the question about suicide attempts.

Bland died in her jail cell. The Harris County medical examiner ruled her death suicide by hanging. Whether she killed herself or foul play was involved, the lawsuit claims that Waller County failed to keep a close eye on Bland while she was in custody.

In a statement to KPRC 2, Waller County's attorney said: "We look forward to presenting all the evidence to the court, in the context of the applicable standards for civil liability, and intend to vigorously defend the case."