3 Tacoma police officers found not guilty in 2020 death of Manny Ellis

A jury has found three Tacoma police officers not guilty in a trial over the death of 33-year-old Manuel Ellis, a Black man who was killed during a police encounter on his way home from a convenience store on March 3, 2020.

Ellis died at the scene after a violent struggle and restraint. At one point, officers also placed a fabric spit hood over Ellis's head. He told police several times during the encounter that he couldn't breathe. The Pierce County medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.

The trial, which took place in Pierce County Superior Court, was the first test of a voter-approved initiative aimed at increasing accountability for improper use of force by police. Initiative 940 introduced a number of laws — including the creation of a good-faith test to determine when the use of deadly force is justifiable. It also requires police officers to receive de-escalation and mental health training.

Tacoma police officers Christopher Burbank and Matthew Collins were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. Officer Timothy Rankine was charged with first-degree manslaughter. All of the officers had pleaded not guilty. They each remain employed with the Tacoma Police Department.

Matthew Ericksen, a lawyer for the Ellis family, called the not-guilty verdicts devastating.

“The biggest reason why I personally think this jury found reasonable doubt is because the defense was essentially allowed to put Manny Ellis on trial,” Ericksen said Thursday, according to the Associated Press. “The defense attorneys were allowed to dredge up Manny’s past and repeat to the jury again and again Manny’s prior arrests in 2015 and 2019. That unfairly prejudiced jurors against Manny.”

The jury heard weeks of sometimes conflicting testimony during the trial.

Defense attorneys told the jury that Ellis's death was the result of a heart condition and high levels of methamphetamine in his system. Jurors also heard officers' statements that Ellis resisted arrest, though witnesses gave differing accounts.

On Wednesday, the presiding juror told Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff that the panel of seven men and five women was unlikely to reach a verdict. But Chushcoff ordered them to resume deliberations.

Attorneys for two of the Tacoma officers issued statements celebrating the jury's final decision Thursday.

Casey Arbenz, who represented Collins, said his client was "full of relief and gratitude that the jury did its job."

Burbank's attorney, Wayne Fricke, said, in part: "...I want it to be clear that we all feel for the Ellis family knowing they lost a loved one, and they're grieving and suffering. I recognize that, the others recognize that and we obviously think it's the correct verdict, but we still recognize that they're hurting."

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson's office prosecuted the case and issued a statement expressing condolences for the Ellis family on Thursday evening.

"I want to start by thanking the jury and court staff for their service. I also want to thank the members of my legal team for their extraordinary hard work and dedication. I know the Ellis family is hurting, and my heart goes out to them," Ferguson said.

Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, speaking Thursday evening surrounded by members of her administration and City Council, said that the verdict would likely stir strong emotions for people.

"I want to acknowledge the anger, the distrust, the doubt, the fear, the hurt and the exhaustion that we as Black people have experienced, as a result of the history of policing in this country," said Woodards, who is Black.

"We will use this moment, this very difficult moment in Tacoma's history to guide and inform our change. And we will not -- we will not -- forget the life of Manuel Ellis," Woodards added later.

As protesters gathered Thursday evening in Tacoma near the site of a mural painted in Ellis's honor, Gov. Jay Inslee called his death a "profound loss" and asked people to show respect for the jury's decision.

“We can respect our judicial system without diminishing the fact our society has more to do. Today’s outcome will no doubt spark relief for some and immense pain for others. In moments such as these, our discussions will only be as profound as the respect we can muster for one another," Inslee's statement read, in part.

The Tacoma Police Department said Thursday it would continue its internal investigation into Ellis's death. Chief Avery Moore will review those findings and decide whether to discipline the officers.

This story has been updated with new information throughout.