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Press Release

Statement on civil rights review of death of Manuel Ellis

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington

A team of experienced federal prosecutors conducted an independent and comprehensive review of the record in the criminal jury trial of State of Washington v. Tacoma Police Department Officers Burbank, Collins, and Rankine, concerning Manuel Ellis’s death on March 3, 2020. The review focused on the application of 18 U.S.C. § 242, a federal criminal civil rights statute that prohibits certain types of official misconduct. After a careful and thorough review, the Department of Justice has closed its inquiry.

Contact

Press contact for the U.S. Attorney’s Office is Communications Director Emily Langlie Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov. 

Updated August 14, 2025
Topic
Civil Rights
Component
USAO - Washington, Western

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