'Remember how much I love you.' Manny Ellis' mother recounts last conversation with her son in trial of officers charged in his death

Marcia Carter-Patterson, mother of Manuel Ellis, took the stand Monday in the trial of three Tacoma police officers charged with her son’s death.

Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man, died in police custody in March 2020.

His death was ruled a homicide by the Pierce County medical examiner, who cited a lack of oxygen due to physical restraint as the cause of death. The medical examiner’s report also found that methamphetamine in Ellis’ system was a contributing factor in the death.

Carter-Patterson told jurors that she spoke with her son over video chat the night he died, shortly before his encounter with police. She said she believes she was the last person Ellis spoke to before his death.

“He looked good. He looked happy,” Carter-Patterson said.

They discussed church, she said. He wanted her to join him for a revival that was going on that week.

“He said, ‘Mom, I really want to give my life to the Lord. I’m tired of the lies, I’m tired of just being out here. I want to be here for my family, I want to just do the right thing, I want my life to change.’”

When asked about her son by the prosecution, Carter-Patterson described him as “the glue” of the family.

“He kept us all together,” she said.

She said Ellis loved music from the time he was 3 years old, and he loved his family.

“The last words he uttered to me was, ‘Mom, remember how much I love you,’ that was the last words my son said to me,” Carter-Patterson said.

She said she didn’t notice anything unusual during the 12-15 minute video call, just that Ellis seemed happy and at peace.

It was just a short while later, while walking back to a sober living home where he was staying after a trip to the store, Ellis encountered police officers.

Three Tacoma officers are charged in his death. Officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank are charged with second-degree murder, and officer Timothy Rankine is charged with first-degree manslaughter. All have pleaded not guilty and remain on paid leave.

Lawyers for the officers say Ellis was aggressive, violent, and high on methamphetamine during his encounter with officers.

They point to the high level of meth found in his system and an enlarged heart as alternate explanations for his death.

When asked about her son’s mental health and drug use, Carter-Patterson said her son had mental health issues.

But she said he’d never admitted having a drug problem to her, and when asked by an attorney for the officers if she’d picked up any signs that Ellis had a meth addiction, she answered, “no.”

Carter-Patterson said her son didn’t speak with her if he was under the influence of alcohol or anything else.

She said they only spoke when he was sober.

Prosecutors have challenged the account from police officers about their interaction with Ellis the night he died.

They allege that Ellis was attacked, tasered, and hogtied. He is heard on audio recordings saying he couldn’t breathe.

The trial continues Tuesday and is expected to last several more weeks.