Key takeaways:
- Three Washington state police officers were cleared of all criminal charges in the death of Manuel “Manny” Ellis.
- The jury found that the officers were not responsible for Ellis’ death, despite the Pierce County medical examiner ruling it a homicide.
- The verdict has been met with disappointment and outrage from Ellis’ family and the community, sparking protests in Tacoma and other cities across the state.
Three Washington state police officers were cleared of all criminal charges Thursday in the death of Manuel “Manny” Ellis, a Black man, in 2020. The jury acquitted Christopher Burbank, 38, and Matthew Collins, 40 of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges, and Timothy Rankine, 34, of manslaughter charges.
The incident occurred in Tacoma, Washington, when Ellis was shocked, beaten, and restrained face down on a sidewalk as he pleaded for breath. Witnesses and a doorbell surveillance camera captured the incident.
Lawyers for the three police officers told the jury last week that Ellis’ death was the result of drug use, not excessive force. They argued that a high level of methamphetamine in Ellis’ system and a heart irregularity were to blame.
The Pierce County medical examiner ruled Ellis’ death a homicide caused by oxygen deprivation. However, the jury found that the officers were not responsible for Ellis’ death.
The verdict has been met with disappointment and outrage from Ellis’ family and the community. Ellis’ family and supporters have called for an independent investigation into the incident. They have also called for the officers to be held accountable for their actions.
The verdict has sparked protests in Tacoma and other cities across the state. The Washington State Patrol has launched an internal investigation into the incident. The outcome of the investigation is yet to be determined.
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