Supporters of Manuel Ellis dismayed as Tacoma police case goes to jury

Jury deliberations are scheduled to continue Monday in the trial of three Tacoma police officers. Two are accused of murder and all three face manslaughter charges in the death of Manuel Ellis, who died in an encounter with police after being punched and restrained with a spit hood put over his face.

Some supporters of Ellis’ family say observing the criminal trial has left them with doubts.

“Do I feel good about it? I don’t. I’m hopeful. But you know, if I wasn’t a man of faith I would have turned this movie off a long time ago. Because trust is just not there," said Anthony Steele, senior pastor of the Allen AME church, the oldest Black church in Tacoma, and a member of the Tacoma Ministerial Alliance.

Steele told KUOW he’s made a point of attending the trial of police officers Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank, and Timothy Rankine.

Steele said, for him, it was plain Ellis didn’t have to die in that 2020 encounter. But he said he’s been disappointed with decisions by the judge throughout the trial that Steele perceived as favoring the police and strengthening the case of their defense attorneys.

Prosecutors said the officers disregarded Ellis’ statements that he couldn’t breathe. Attorneys for the police argue that Ellis’ death was caused by methamphetamine and an enlarged heart. They also said none of the three officers charged were responsible for placing the spit hood on Ellis.

Steele said observing in the courtroom is an important next step after the racial justice protests of 2020. He said he’s also saddened by the lack of national attention on this case so far.

“My only last regret is that the Ben Crumps and the Al Sharptons of the world did not show up for this trial. This trial is important, not just for Tacoma but for America. This is some of the first times in our history where you actually have police officers on trial for their actions," Steele said.

“We must be present. Not just Blacks. Everyone must be present, just like we were during the pandemic,” he added. “People marched, all races together.”