One of three Washington state police officers acquitted in the 2020 death of Manny Ellis has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against city and state officials, alleging he was wrongly accused of criminal and racist misconduct.
Ellis, a black man who was left face down on the sidewalk as he was shocked, beaten and begging to breathe, died in Tacoma police custody in March 2020.
Timothy Rankin, a former Tacoma police officer who is Asian American, testified at his trial last year that he held down Ellis’ back despite him pleading for air.
The officers’ lawyers argued that Ellis died from a fatal overdose of methamphetamine and heart problems, not from the officers’ actions, but the Pierce County coroner said Ellis died from a homicide and from a lack of oxygen while in custody.
The officer exonerated in the 2020 Tacoma death of Manuel Ellis will be hired by a nearby sheriff’s office.
This photo shows Tacoma Police Officer Timothy Rankin attending the Manny Ellis murder trial at Pierce County Superior Court, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington. ((Ellen M. Banner/The Seattle Times via The Associated Press, Pool))
Tacoma Police Officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank, who were the first to arrive on the scene, were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.
Rankin was acquitted of first-degree manslaughter in December but claims his reputation was tarnished during the trial.
Doorbell surveillance video captured part of the incident, showing Burbank firing a Taser at Ellis’ chest and Ellis putting his hands up in a surrender position as Collins put his arms around Ellis’ neck from behind.
The video also showed Ellis repeatedly telling the officers he couldn’t breathe, while calling them “sir.”
The former officer claims his prosecution was politically motivated and led to threats against his family. Rankin and his wife are seeking $47 million in damages.
Tacoma police officer sentenced in Manny Ellis death case. Mayor calls on community to express their feelings
Protesters pass a mural of Manny Ellis after three Washington State Police officers were cleared of all criminal charges in Ellis’ 2020 death, at Pierce County Superior Court on Dec. 21, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassi)
This came after Rankin, along with other officers, agreed to resign from the police department in January in exchange for $500,000 each, an amount his lawyers argued would “barely” compensate Rankin for what he lost.
A City of Tacoma spokesperson said in an email to FOX 13 on Tuesday that they don’t comment on pending litigation.
Ellis’ death is under investigation by the Department of Justice as a possible civil rights violation, and state officials are investigating whether to revoke the officer’s certification.
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A federal lawsuit against the city and officers by Ellis’ family is also pending. The family previously settled for $4 million with Pierce County, which first investigated Ellis’ death.
