Bland Family Not Expected At Texas Jail Review
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AUSTIN (AP) - Relatives of Sandra Bland are not expected at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers launch a review of jail safety following her July death in a county lockup.
Sheriffs and state officials are scheduled to testify Tuesday to a Senate committee. Texas has seen roughly 25 jail suicides each year since 2012.
Authorities say the 28-year-old Bland hanged herself with a garbage bag three days after being pulled over for not signaling a lane change. The routine traffic stop grew confrontational after a trooper asked her to put out a cigarette.
Bland's relatives have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit. Cannon Lambert, an attorney for the family, says they were not asked to participate in the legislative hearings.
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said the committee isn't focused on any one death.
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