The wheels of justice turn excruciatingly slowly for black victims of police violence. 95 days ago, on March 3rd, Manuel Ellis was killed by four Tacoma Police officers, after desperately pleading with them that he“Can’t breathe” . Like in Minneapolis Ellis’ death was ruled a homicide, like in Minneapolis four police officers may be fired. But unlike in Minneapolis no police officers have been charged in Manuel Ellis’ homicide.
Several hundred marchers took to the streets of eastside Tacoma to seek justice in the police-shooting deaths of Benny Branch, Said Joaquin and Manny Ellis.
BY STACIA GLENN
The family of Manuel Ellis is tired.
Tired of talking. Tired of crying. Tired of not getting the answers they want.
In an emotionally charged press conference Thursday outside the County-City Building, the Tacoma man’s relatives criticized the ongoing investigation into Ellis’ death and demanded better.
“As a family, we want answers,” said his mother, Marcia Carter. “No more talking.”
The family has been seeking information since Ellis died March 3 while being restrained by police, not long after saying, “Can’t breathe.”
Four involved officers were placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday, for a second time, after a report from the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office became public. They are Christopher Burbank, 34; Matthew Collins, 37; Masyih Ford, 28; and Timothy Rankine, 31.
Burbank and Collins are white. Ford is black. Rankine is Asian.
The officers had been placed on leave immediately after death of Ellis, a black man, then returned to duty.
Medical examiners ruled Ellis’ death a homicide and said he died from a lack of oxygen due to physical restraint.
A new video from a witness surfaced today.
Justice delayed is justice denied.