Lawyer for Mannie Ellis calls for independent probe of Tacoma man's death
The attorney representing the family of a Tacoma man who was killed in March during an encounter with police called on the state Tuesday to appoint an outside investigator to look into the incident, which is now gaining renewed scrutiny in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minnesota.
During the news conference, attorney James Bible showed video clips of footage that captured some of the interaction between Mannie Ellis and the Tacoma police officers that night. The confrontation between Ellis and police is partially obscured by a vehicle and the police cruiser parked on the side of the street, but a woman's cries are audible as are shrieks from Ellis, in which at one point it sounds as if he told police he could not breathe.
Investigators with the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office have concluded that Ellis, 33, died as a result of respiratory arrest to hypoxia due to physical restraint, meaning he couldn’t breathe while being restrained. Contributing factors include methamphetamine intoxication and an enlarged heart condition, investigators have said.
Tacoma officers encountered Ellis before 11:30 p.m. on March 3 after he was allegedly punching the window of a car, according to Detective Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading an investigation into Ellis' death. Investigators have said two Tacoma police officers in the area asked Ellis if he needed help, but he replied that he had outstanding warrants.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/lawyer-for-mannie-ellis-calls-for-independent-probe-of-tacoma-mans-death/ar-BB15fZwN