TACOMA, WA - On Thursday, December 21st, a jury found three Tacoma police officers not guilty on the charges of murder and manslaughter in the death of Manuel "Manny" Ellis.
FOX News reported that back in March of 2020, Ellis died while in police custody after claims that he was allegedly beaten, shocked, and hogtied facedown on a sidewalk. The Pierce County medical examiner had ruled Ellis' death a homicide caused by oxygen deprivation.
However, attorneys for the three officers stated that a high level of methamphetamine in Ellis' system along with a heart irregularity were also factors in his death.
Tacoma Police Officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank were the first officers on scene. They were both charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. After jury deliberations, Collins and Burbank were found not guilty of those charges.
The third officer, Tacoma Police Officer Timothy Rankine, was part of the second unit on scene. He was charged with first-degree manslaughter. After jury deliberations, Rankine was also found not guilty of that charge.
In a press release, the Tacoma Police Union, wrote, in part, "We are a country built upon values and our officers value preservation of life. When a life is lost, we fully expect and invite a thorough fact-finding process built upon truth and evidence, not hyperbole and politically charged prosecutions. We are thankful for our justice system, in which the truth of the matter prevails."
Back in June 2020, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards called for all three officers to be fired. In a statement on Tacoma TV and Facebook she said, "The officers who committed this crime should be fired and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I am demanding tonight that the Pierce County Sheriff review and confirm every action taken by each officer."
According to prosecutors, Ellis was unarmed at the time of the incident. They stated that he was "restrained, beaten, tased, and put in a spit mask by law enforcement." Special prosecutor Patricia Eakes of Washington's Attorney General's Office relied on eyewitness testimony and video evidence to present the state's closing arguments.
She compared Ellis' treatment to that of "an animal," describing him as being "hogtied with a hobble" in her closing arguments, which caused tension during the court proceedings. The attorneys for the officers motioned for a dismissal, a mistrial, and objected to her references to Ellis as an animal several times.
In their press release, the Tacoma Police Union said, "This is also the time for many elected officials to take a deep breath and re-evaluate their approach to policing issues. This case has been used to justify legislation that has made our community less safe. It's time to re-prioritize public safety."
The attorneys for the officers maintained the whole trial that while the death of Ellis was unfortunate, it was not unlawful. They presented evidence of Ellis' history of drug abuse and mental health issues as their main defense.
Jared Ausserer, the attorney for Officer Collins, said that there was no doubt Ellis was a good son, uncle and brother, but that when he "was high on meth, he was a different person." Wayne Fricke, Burbank's attorney stated that use of methamphetamine caused Ellis to be "violent, unpredictable, and paranoid."
Mark Conrad, Rankine's attorney, said that his client was on the force for only 14 months at the time of the incident and that he followed the superior officer's orders that night. Anne Bremmer, one of Rankine's attorneys added, "Officer Rankine responded to an emergent situation to assist other officers."
Prior to the jurors' ruling, the Tacoma Police Union stated that they maintain their stance on the case, showcasing their support for the officers. Henry Betts, Tacoma Police Union Local #6 president said, "We certainly maintain our support for these officers and have not changed our beliefs on why they are charged."
According to FOX News, on Wednesday, December 20th, the jury in the trial told the judge that they could not reach a unanimous decision, which could have led to a mistrial. Pierce County Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff sent the jury back and told them to keep trying to reach a verdict.
Following the verdict, the Tacoma Police Union said, "As the jury has now found, Officers Burbank, Collins, and Rankine are dedicated public servants who did no wrong. These officers and their families have faced unimaginable stress surrounding this trial. We are thankful that truth finally had its day, but their lives will never be the same. Now is a time for them to heal, along with the Ellis family and the general Tacoma community."
FOX News reported that back in March of 2020, Ellis died while in police custody after claims that he was allegedly beaten, shocked, and hogtied facedown on a sidewalk. The Pierce County medical examiner had ruled Ellis' death a homicide caused by oxygen deprivation.
However, attorneys for the three officers stated that a high level of methamphetamine in Ellis' system along with a heart irregularity were also factors in his death.
Tacoma Police Officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank were the first officers on scene. They were both charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. After jury deliberations, Collins and Burbank were found not guilty of those charges.
The third officer, Tacoma Police Officer Timothy Rankine, was part of the second unit on scene. He was charged with first-degree manslaughter. After jury deliberations, Rankine was also found not guilty of that charge.
In a press release, the Tacoma Police Union, wrote, in part, "We are a country built upon values and our officers value preservation of life. When a life is lost, we fully expect and invite a thorough fact-finding process built upon truth and evidence, not hyperbole and politically charged prosecutions. We are thankful for our justice system, in which the truth of the matter prevails."
Back in June 2020, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards called for all three officers to be fired. In a statement on Tacoma TV and Facebook she said, "The officers who committed this crime should be fired and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I am demanding tonight that the Pierce County Sheriff review and confirm every action taken by each officer."
According to prosecutors, Ellis was unarmed at the time of the incident. They stated that he was "restrained, beaten, tased, and put in a spit mask by law enforcement." Special prosecutor Patricia Eakes of Washington's Attorney General's Office relied on eyewitness testimony and video evidence to present the state's closing arguments.
She compared Ellis' treatment to that of "an animal," describing him as being "hogtied with a hobble" in her closing arguments, which caused tension during the court proceedings. The attorneys for the officers motioned for a dismissal, a mistrial, and objected to her references to Ellis as an animal several times.
In their press release, the Tacoma Police Union said, "This is also the time for many elected officials to take a deep breath and re-evaluate their approach to policing issues. This case has been used to justify legislation that has made our community less safe. It's time to re-prioritize public safety."
The attorneys for the officers maintained the whole trial that while the death of Ellis was unfortunate, it was not unlawful. They presented evidence of Ellis' history of drug abuse and mental health issues as their main defense.
Jared Ausserer, the attorney for Officer Collins, said that there was no doubt Ellis was a good son, uncle and brother, but that when he "was high on meth, he was a different person." Wayne Fricke, Burbank's attorney stated that use of methamphetamine caused Ellis to be "violent, unpredictable, and paranoid."
Mark Conrad, Rankine's attorney, said that his client was on the force for only 14 months at the time of the incident and that he followed the superior officer's orders that night. Anne Bremmer, one of Rankine's attorneys added, "Officer Rankine responded to an emergent situation to assist other officers."
Prior to the jurors' ruling, the Tacoma Police Union stated that they maintain their stance on the case, showcasing their support for the officers. Henry Betts, Tacoma Police Union Local #6 president said, "We certainly maintain our support for these officers and have not changed our beliefs on why they are charged."
According to FOX News, on Wednesday, December 20th, the jury in the trial told the judge that they could not reach a unanimous decision, which could have led to a mistrial. Pierce County Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff sent the jury back and told them to keep trying to reach a verdict.
Following the verdict, the Tacoma Police Union said, "As the jury has now found, Officers Burbank, Collins, and Rankine are dedicated public servants who did no wrong. These officers and their families have faced unimaginable stress surrounding this trial. We are thankful that truth finally had its day, but their lives will never be the same. Now is a time for them to heal, along with the Ellis family and the general Tacoma community."
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Comments
2023-12-22T18:18-0500 | Comment by: Harry
I hope the officers get reinstated with back pay. I don't know the details, but I 'll bet Ellis was black and the officers were white. That's usually how it goes with these sham trials !
2023-12-22T19:51-0500 | Comment by: Tom
I guess my honest comment was blocked because law enforcement today is afraid of the real facts. No sense posting here because they cannot accept the truth. I’ll delete these cowards and move towards a community that accepts the truth instead of political correctness.
2023-12-23T06:44-0500 | Comment by: Carol
I am glad to hear that justice has prevailed. I also hope these officers can be reinstated with back pay! Now it's time to release Derek Chauvin and Daniel Penny!
2023-12-25T20:16-0500 | Comment by: steve
sad that Manny died but when are we going to put some responsibility on individuals to not fight the police.In this modern post George Floyd era it is much easier for cops "slow roll" in black neighborhoods than try to control the "hoods" that victimize the local population.Spit hoods are only placed when a suspect is spitting on officers which could help restrict breathing.Officers only want to do their jobs and go home at night to their families.
2023-12-25T23:27-0500 | Comment by: Theadora
It’s heartbreaking but today being an Officer is a thankless job- we are so fortunate we still have brave men & women who continue to protect & serve our communities. Do Officers mess up occasionally, of course they do- they’re human… but in nearly every situation the media vilifies the Officer and suddenly an Officer is on trial for his or her life simply because they did their job. I’m so thankful for juries like the one in this case who ensure justice prevails. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with these brave Officers & families because while truth and justice prevailed I fear the fight for them isn’t entirely over yet. May God Bless every man & woman in blue (and brown)… your dedication and sacrifice is why we can all rest peacefully every night.