Tacoma police union reacts to charges in Manual Ellis case

The state Attorney General’s Office said Thursday it has filed felony charges against three Tacoma police officers in the death of Manuel Ellis.

In response, the Tacoma police union released the following statement:

We are disappointed that facts were ignored in favor of what appears to be a politically motivated witch hunt. We look forward to trial. An unbiased jury will find that the officers broke no laws and, in fact, acted in accordance with the law, their training, and Tacoma Police Department policies. An unbiased jury will not allow these fine public servants to be sacrificed at the altar of public sentiment. Like every community member, our officers are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Two officers — Christopher Burbank and Matthew Collins — have been charged with second-degree murder, while a third, Timothy Rankine, was charged with first-degree manslaughter charges. In total, six officers were involved.

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