PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — The trial in the death of Manuel Ellis is more than a month into proceedings. Three Tacoma Police Officers are on trial.
Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man, died in Tacoma police custody on the night of March 3, 2020, after a confrontation with officers. Three Tacoma police officers, Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank and Timothy Rankine, are charged in his death.
Officers Burbank and Collins are charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. Officer Rankine is charged with first-degree manslaughter.
Attorney Mark Lindquist, also a former Pierce County prosecuting attorney, joined KING 5 Weekend Mornings to discuss the trial and react to some testimony so far.
"Prior to I-940 - this case could simply not be brought," Lindquist said. "There is no evidence of malice."
Lindquist discussed the existence of a fairly new law that changed the requirement to prove malice beyond reasonable doubt in an officer's use of deadly force, how much jurors consider expert testimony, and shared reaction to witness testimony.
To watch the full interview, click the video player above.
KING 5 will stream gavel-to-gavel coverage of the trial from opening to closing statements. Follow live coverage and watch videos on demand on king5.com, KING 5+ and the KING 5 YouTube channel.
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