Officer Testifies in Trial Over Death of Manuel Ellis

The trial marks a significant test of police accountability in Washington state.

Officer Matthew Collins, one of the three officers charged in the death of Manuel Ellis, testified in his own defense, stating he would not have done anything differently.
The trial marks the first courtroom test of a voter-approved police-accountability measure in Washington state that removed legal barriers to charging police officers for on-duty deaths.
Ellis was shocked with a Taser, beaten, and restrained face down by police, leading to his death. The medical examiner ruled Ellis’ death a homicide caused by oxygen deprivation.
Collins and co-defendant Christopher Burbank were identified by eyewitnesses as the initial aggressors, contradicting Collins' claim that Ellis initiated the confrontation.
By the time paramedics arrived, Ellis had been struck by fists and elbows, placed in a neck hold, jolted three times with a Taser, handcuffed with ankle hobbles strapped to his wrists behind his back, had a nylon spit hood placed over his face and was knelt or sat on by multiple officers.