TACOMA, Wash. — The jury in the trial over the death of Manuel Ellis has found all three officers not guilty on all charges.
Officers Christopher Burbank and Matthew Collins were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter, while Timothy Rankine was charged with first-degree manslaughter.
This comes after an intense and emotional 10-week trial, where the defense asserted that Ellis’ death at the hands of officers was largely the fault of an enlarged heart and methamphetamine in his system.
Prosecutors pointed to how officers allegedly beat, tased, and choked Ellis. Videos taken by witnesses show Ellis telling officers he couldn’t breathe, while they had him hogtied, handcuffed, and pressed to the ground. The Pierce County Medical Examiner later ruled that Ellis died from oxygen deprivation.
This marks a landmark case in Washington, as the first in the state to be tried under a five-year-old police accountability law that made it easier to prosecute officers who use deadly force.
The Tacoma Police Department issued a statement on the verdict shortly after it was announced.
“The Tacoma Police Department acknowledges today’s not guilty verdicts in the State of Washington vs. Police Officers Burbank, Collins, and Rankine may exacerbate the pain caused by the death of Mr. Ellis,” said a spokesperson. “The past nearly four years have been filled with widespread anger, mistrust, and apprehension and have severely divided the people of this city.”
“Even though this criminal process has concluded, TPD’s leadership and the entire department understand there are many questions about where we all go from here, as a city and as a community,” they continued.
Police say they will continue to build trust between employees and community members. The department’s internal investigation into the three officers will continue despite the ruling. Those results will also be shared with the public.
“No criminal trial will bring Mr. Ellis back to his loved ones,” said the spokesperson. “The Tacoma Police Department acknowledges this and the widespread pain this incident caused.”
The ACLU of Washington issued a statement of its own, saying that “today’s verdict is devastating.”
“While no verdict would provide true justice for Manny — as that would mean never being killed in the first place — officers cannot be allowed to act with impunity and kill community members without consequence,” they continued. “Our thoughts are with Manny’s family who have had to be fierce advocates in the face of a system that was not investing time on investigating itself.”
Governor Inslee also commented on the trial:
“Regardless of how people feel about today’s verdict, everyone should remember this case began when the Ellis family experienced a profound loss that was not properly investigated,” said Inslee. “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,” he continued. “In moments such as these, our discussions will only be as profound as the respect we can muster for one another.”
The Tacoma Police Union responded to the verdict as well, saying the following in part:
After all the facts were laid out before a jury of peers, Tacoma Officers Chris Burbank, Matt Collins, and Tim Rankine have been found not guilty of all charges. That is the just result. That is the right result.
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.
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