Five weeks into the trial against three Tacoma, Washington, police officers charged in the death of Manny Ellis, prosecutors are continuing to build their case by questioning some of Ellis’ closest allies. Cedric Armstrong, the man who ran the sober-living home where Ellis lived, testified on Monday, stating that Ellis seemed happy earlier on the night he died and did not appear to be off in any way. This testimony challenges the officers’ claim that Ellis was violent.
Additionally, a lieutenant with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office admitted on Monday that his agency failed to find or collect witness cellphone videos before closing their investigation into Ellis’ death. These videos and witness statements are crucial pieces of evidence that show Ellis with his hands up in a surrender position as the officers shoot a Taser at his chest and wrap an arm around his neck. The officers’ assertion that Ellis attacked them and was violent is contradicted by the videos and witness accounts.
Ellis died on March 3, 2020, after repeatedly telling officers he could not breathe while they applied pressure to him on the pavement. The Pierce County medical examiner ruled Ellis’ death a homicide caused by oxygen deprivation from physical restraint. However, the officers’ defense lawyers argue that Ellis’ death was due to a combination of a high level of methamphetamine in his system and a heart irregularity.
The three officers, Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank, and Timothy Rankine, are currently on trial for second-degree manslaughter. Collins and Burbank are also facing second-degree murder charges. Despite the charges, all three officers have pleaded not guilty, are free on bail, and remain on paid leave by the Tacoma Police Department.
The trial will resume on Tuesday morning in Pierce County Superior Court, with a substance abuse counselor who treated Ellis expected to testify. The videos and witness statements will continue to be pivotal in determining the officers’ culpability in Ellis’ death.
In conclusion, the trial against the three Tacoma police officers involved in the death of Manny Ellis is progressing as prosecutors present evidence and question witnesses. The mishandling of evidence by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the testimonies of Ellis’ allies are shedding light on the circumstances surrounding his death. The trial will provide crucial insights into the actions of the officers and their accountability in this case.
