Tacoma Mayor Addresses Verdict in Manny Ellis Death Case as Officer Files Lawsuit

In a controversial verdict, three police officers from Washington State have been found not guilty on all charges related to the death of Manuel "Manny" Ellis in 2020. The officers were acquitted of criminal charges in connection to the tragic incident.

Following the acquittal, one of the officers, Timothy Rankine, who is of Asian American descent, has filed a multmillion-dollar suit against city and state officials. He claims that he was falsely accused of criminal and racial misconduct in relation to Ellis' death. The suit alleges that Rankine's reputation was destroyed during the trial and led to threats against his family. Rankine and his wife are seeking $47 million in damages.

Medical Examiner's Ruling

The Pierce County Medical Examiner ruled the death of Ellis as a homicide, citing that it was caused by a lack of oxygen during the physical restraint by the officers. This ruling stands in contrast to the officers' defense, who argued that Ellis died from a lethal amount of methamphetamine as well as a heart condition, and not as a result of their actions.

Following the controversial verdict, Rankine, along with the other officers, agreed to resign from the department in January in exchange for $500,000 each. This decision came after Rankine claimed that the monetary compensation "barely" compensated him for what he lost due to the case.

The Department of Justice is currently reviewing Ellis’ death for potential civil rights violations, while state officials are investigating whether to revoke the officers’ certifications. Furthermore, a federal lawsuit from Ellis’ family is still pending against the city and the officers. Previously, the family settled for $4 million with Pierce County, which first investigated Ellis’ death.