Police choked and stunned black guy “created his own death,” lawyer says at trial.

Three Washington state police officers are charged with killing Black man Manuel Ellis in 2020.

Defense Argues Drugs, Not Choking, Led to Ellis’s Death in Officers’ Trial

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Officers are charged with murder and manslaughter. The defense claims Ellis’s death was caused by drugs, not cops’ choking and stunning. The lawyers said Ellis, a meth addict, was violent and unpredictable, requiring force.

During closing remarks, special prosecutor Patty Eakes stressed comparing officers’ statements to cameras and witness evidence to establish trustworthiness.

Manuel Ellis, who shouted “Can’t breathe, sir,” died in March 2020. The trial is the first case of officers prosecuted in a suspect’s death since a 2018 law eliminated the need to prove malice. One officer is charged with manslaughter and two with second-degree murder. The defense claims Ellis caused a forceful scenario.

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Inconsistencies in Officers’ Statements Highlighted in Ellis’s Death Trial

Eakes played audio excerpts of officers’ statements during closing arguments to contrast with videos and witness reports. The defense claimed Ellis was violent, but witnesses and footage disagreed. Officers’ statements were inconsistent, thus Eakes questioned their reliability. The defense said footage and witnesses were flawed and officers acted properly.

The defense said the cops followed their training and the situation. They said Ellis’s assault on the police car glass and refusal to arrest justified the officers’ conduct. The defense argues that Ellis’s unfortunate death should not lead to police charges. The cops’ culpability or innocence in Ellis’s killing will depend on the trial.

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