The United States is delving into the case of Manuel "Manny" Ellis, a Black man who died under police custody in Tacoma, Washington, in 2020. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Western Washington has initiated a federal investigation to ascertain whether Ellis' civil rights were infringed upon during the incident that led to his death. This comes on the heels of a not guilty verdict served to three Tacoma police officers in connection with Ellis' death, following a trial in Pierce County Superior Court.
According to The Seattle Times, the officers who were acquitted last month of manslaughter and murder charges stemming from the Ellis case marked a significant chapter in Washington state's efforts towards bolstering police accountability. These charges were the first test for Initiative 940, voter-sanctioned legislation intended to strengthen police accountability. The recent acquittal has evidently not put a pause on further examinations into the case.
Providing more detail on the investigative process, Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman's office emailed a statement saying they are "conducting an independent review of the state’s case concerning Manuel Ellis’ death." Furthermore, they promised "appropriate action" if the review uncovers violations of federal criminal statutes. This information was presented by KNKX. Simultaneously, the FBI has maintained silence on the matter, declining to comment on any involvement on their part.
Evidence presented by several eyewitnesses at trial countered the Tacoma officers' assertions that Ellis instigated an attack, and instead presented them as the aggressors. Following their acquittal, attention now turns to Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore, who is expected to make a decision on whether to discipline Officers Matthew Collins, Christopher "Shane" Burbank, and Timothy Rankine. Even though he was heard repeatedly pleading that he could not breathe, Rankine was seen pressing on Ellis' back for an extended period during the fatal encounter.
The trio's actions and the subsequent handling of the case by Tacoma police department remain under intense observation. While the department's internal investigations were on hold until the trial concluded, two other officers associated with the case were already exonerated in December 2021. As this situation continues to evolve, the community and Ellis' family alike await more conclusive answers as to the handling of Manuel Ellis' tragic end.
