Jury hears Manuel Ellis’ last words at trial of Washington officers accused in the Black man’s death

By MARTHA BELLISLE
Associated Press

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Jurors have heard a harrowing description of Manny Ellis’ last moments during opening statements in the trial of three Washington police officers charged in the 33-year-old Black man’s death in 2020. Before he died, Ellis was punched, shocked with a Taser, put in a chokehold and held face down on the sidewalk as he pleaded that he couldn’t breathe. Tacoma officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank, both white, have been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. Officer Timothy Rankine, who is Asian American, is charged with manslaughter. All three have pleaded not guilty. Opening statements are happening Tuesday. The trial in Pierce County Superior Court is expected to run until early December.