Manuel Ellis’ family requests independent investigation of his death
Jun 4, 2020, 5:19 PM | Updated: 11:24 pm
People hold signs during a vigil for Manuel Ellis, a black man whose March death while in Tacoma Police custody was recently found to be a homicide, near the site of his death on June 3, 2020 in Tacoma, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)
The Pierce County Sheriff鈥檚 office is investigating the death of a 33-year-old African American man in police custody. Manuel Ellis died March 3, 2020, from a lack of oxygen, after being restrained by Tacoma police. A medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, but found drugs and a heart condition also contributed to Ellis鈥� death.
Tacoma mayor vows answers after police custody death ruled a homicide
Photos: Vigil in Tacoma for Manuel Ellis
James Bible, the Ellis family鈥檚 attorney, said the city of Tacoma and the police department lacks transparency. He added that the Pierce County Sheriff鈥檚 office should not be investigating Ellis鈥� death because the sheriff鈥檚 office and the Tacoma Police Department work together.
鈥淭hey worked too closely together, they鈥檙e too linked, they鈥檙e in essentially the same jurisdiction,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I think that all they鈥檙e trying to create is some sort of illusion that they did something without sharing information with the public.鈥�
Ellis鈥� family wants an independent investigation, and their demands could be met this week, 成人X站 Radio reports. The Tacoma City Council could ask Gov. Inslee to order a review of Manny Ellis鈥� death.
Bible said Ellis鈥� death is a reflection of what鈥檚 happening across the country.
鈥淭he harsh reality is that those things that afflict our entire nation in terms of police accountability, also afflict the Pacific Northwest,鈥� he said.
On the day Ellis died, police say he had been harassing a woman at an intersection. When officers arrived, he repeatedly struck their patrol car. He reportedly picked up one officer by the vest and slammed him to the ground, then there was a struggle before police handcuffed Ellis on the ground.
Bible painted a different picture of that day.
鈥淗e had participated in his church band as a drummer, he had spent time talking to his family on the phone, he had spent time with several other people during that day just prior to this event,鈥� Bible said. 鈥淎nd nobody indicated that there was any problem with Manny Ellis.鈥�
鈥淣obody indicated that he was being aggressive or demonstrating any sort of bizarre behavior, or anything to that effect,鈥� he added.
Bible said the bottom line is: 鈥淎n unarmed black man was killed by police via suffocation.鈥�
reports the sheriff’s office is expected to release its findings next week. The four officers involved in this case have been placed on administrative leave.
The 成人X站 Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.
