Monday night, a Waller County Grand Jury, after hearing lengthy testimony and reviewing evidence over the course of three sessions, declined to issue a criminal indictment against the Waller County Sheriff’s Department or any of its employees related to the in-custody death of Sandra Bland on July 13, following her arrest by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper. Senator West issues these remarks following the grand jury’s decision.
“My words and thoughts go first to the family and loved ones of Sandra Bland. I understand their pain and their efforts to find solutions that will help them in terms of coming to grips with the loss of their loved one. Although I have not spoken with Mrs. Reed-Veal recently, I also understand her and counsel’s frustration with the grand jury process and its findings.
From the outset, I and other members of the Legislature and public officials, asked for a process that would be open and transparent. That – from the family’s perspective – would appear to be at odds with how a grand jury works. But the grand jury is a long-standing institution in Texas and in other jurisdictions across the country. I found no fault with District Attorney Elton Mathis’ decision to form a panel of special prosecutors for this case. The five-attorney panel included two African American attorneys with experience both as prosecutors and defense and one female with defense experience.
The grand jury was comprised of four minorities, three African Americans and one Hispanic. Both these panels can be considered as reaching the requirements of diversity. That said, I must respect the decision of the grand jury; made after reviewing days of testimony and evidence lasting late into Monday evening, that the evidence presented did not amount to that needed for a criminal, felony indictment of Waller Sheriff’s Department jail personnel. That is not to say that mistakes were not made that may have contributed to her death. Neither does their non-indictment preclude the possibility of civil liability. My information also is that the grand jury will convene again early in January to continue to pour through more evidence and testimony relevant to a criminal case. This investigation has not yet run its course. At its conclusion, it is my hope that justice will have been served.”
OK Senator, It is also; my hope – that justice will have been served in this case. BUT…why is there no mention of the inadequacies of the justice system? This is not just about a jury system which reflects diversity. A grand jury which reflects diversity can be brainwashed into unfair decisions also. Everybody knows the quote which says “a DA could indict a ham sandwich” if he wants to. And likewis, the Waller county prosecutor who was in charge of the proceedings is “guilty” of pulling the strings that resulted in no accusation – at this point. The DA generally works with the grand jury to produce results which fall in line with the powers that be. These results usually work against the people who don’t control the power structure – and that means black folk, poor folk, Hispanic folk, etc. don’t get justice. The entire justice system which includes judges, prosecutors, and police needs to be reworked and rearranged because it usually does not work for the 99% of the people!
Now…let me see if the Senator can RESPECT that….