Legal Decision: Washington Officers Acquitted in Manuel Ellis' Death

On June 3, 2020, people light candles at the improvised memorial at the junction where Manuel Ellis passed away while in police custody.Photo byJason Redmond / AFP via Getty Images file

This deeply troubling case involved the death of Manuel Ellis in Tacoma, Washington, resulting in three officers being acquitted of all charges. The officers faced accusations of excessive force, leading to Ellis' death through asphyxiation and physical restraint. The tragic incident unfolded as Ellis, a black man, pleaded for breath while being shocked, beaten, and pinned face down on a sidewalk.

Despite the medical examiner ruling Ellis' death a homicide due to oxygen deprivation, the defence attributed his passing to a combination of a high level of methamphetamine in his system and a pre-existing heart condition. Witnesses and surveillance footage contradicted the officers' claims of Ellis being aggressive, instead depicting him in a surrendering stance while officers used force against him.

During the trial, witnesses, including Sara McDowell, testified against the officers' actions, highlighting the unjustified violence they witnessed. The officers' defence presented their version of events, denying hearing Ellis' repeated pleas of not being able to breathe and asserting his initial aggression, which other witnesses didn't corroborate.

Manuel Ellis' death stirred outrage among racial justice advocates in the Pacific Northwest, though it didn't receive national attention similar to George Floyd's killing in Minneapolis a few months later. The trial, lasting over two months, marked the first prosecution under a Washington state law aimed at streamlining cases against law enforcement accused of deadly misconduct.

Ellis' encounter with the police began as he passed by a patrol car, ultimately resulting in a confrontation that led to officers using force against him. The officers' actions, as captured in video footage, revealed the brutal treatment Ellis endured, including being restrained and shocked despite pleading for breath.

The case of Manuel Ellis adds to the ongoing debate about excessive force and police accountability, especially in incidents involving people of color. Despite the acquittal, this case serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges of addressing police conduct and accountability in instances of alleged excessive force and brutality.