Officer charged in Manny Ellis’ death takes the stand
For the first time in more than 3 years, we are finally hearing directly from the police officers charged with killing Manny Ellis.
Rankine, as well as Tacoma Police Officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank are charged with Ellis’ death.
At points during his testimony, Rankine became emotional when recounting the sounds he heard over the radio of the fight between Collins, Burbank, and Ellis.
“I know they called for additional fire units to arrive on scene, but I kept asking, ‘What do you need from us?’ And then he eventually asked to start CPR on Mr. Ellis,” said Rankine.
“The only response at that point in time that I could think of is, ‘If you can talk to me, you can breathe, but if you stop struggling and calm down, I’ll relieve some pressure off of you,’” he said.
Eakes: “You never followed up with Mr. Ellis and said, ‘Are you able to breathe,’ did you?”
Eakes: “But you never asked him, ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Are you able to breathe?’”
Eakes: “But did you ask him, officer?”
RELATED: Tacoma officer charged with killing Manny Ellis testifies in court
The defense pointed out that other officers, who are not facing any criminal charges, also heard Ellis say he could not breathe and did not mention it to other units, as well.
