AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A new review of Texas jail safety following the death of Sandra Bland is starting without relatives of the 28-year-old woman who was stopped for a routine traffic violation.
Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire said Tuesday that Bland's death in July is the reason lawmakers are back at the Capitol. Authorities say Bland hanged herself with a garbage bag in a Waller County jail three days after being pulled over.
Bland's family was not in attendance. Cannon Lambert, an attorney for the family, says they were not asked to participate in the hearings.
Texas has seen roughly 25 jail suicides each year since 2012.
Also Tuesday, the Prairie View City Council voted to leave in place its decision to name for Bland the road where the state trooper stopped her.
