PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Nearly one year after 33-year-old Manuel Ellis died in Tacoma police custody, Ellis’ family attorney and supporters were joined by Tacoma’s mayor, calling for a monthlong special investigation into the case to reveal conclusions now.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Ellis family attorney James Bible, leading a news conference at Tacoma’s Shilo Baptist Church Thursday. Bible called on State Attorney General Bob Ferguson to speed up the conclusions of his investigation team, which he said would take six more weeks.
Wednesday, March 3 marks the one-year anniversary of Ellis’ death, which was ruled a homicide by the Pierce County Medical Examiner due to a lack of oxygen, and also determined methamphetamine and an enlarged heart also played a contributing role.
Bible said new information reveals Ellis was “hobbled” by five officers, and may have suffocated in handcuffs from the position of his body, while he told the officers ‘I can’t breathe.”’
“They took his hands and they handcuffed them to his feet and they left him on his stomach,” Bible said. “He said ‘I can’t breathe, sir,’ and they put a spit mask on his head after that.”'
Officers who restrained Ellis are Christopher Burbank, 34; Matthew Collins, 37; Masyih Ford, 28; Timothy Rankine, 31; and Armando Farinas, 26. A Pierce County sheriff’s employee, Lt. Gary Sanders, also was involved in Ellis’ restraint. Five officers are on paid leave pending the investigation.
A special 11-member team, assembled by Gov. Inslee and led by Attorney General Ferguson, has been doing a special investigation into the Ellis case, separate from the investigation being done by Pierce County and the State Patrol.
That team includes two retired judges and civil rights attorneys. The majority of that team are people of color. Their conclusions are expected to be released in about six weeks — but Ellis’ supporters say that’s way too long to wait.
“Please, give this family the justice they deserve and the justice they so desperately need at this time,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards.
“Six more weeks is past his death date,” said Ellis’ sister, Monet Carter-Mixon. “They’ve had more than enough information that they need time. Time’s up.”
Cox Media Group
