Tacoma Settles Ellis Death Lawsuit for $6 Million

The City of Tacoma agreed to a $6 million settlement with the family of Manuel 'Manny' Ellis to resolve a wrongful death and civil rights lawsuit after his 2020 death in police custody. Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man, died after being beaten, tased, hogtied, and restrained by police officers, with video evidence capturing his pleas that he could not breathe. His death was officially ruled a homicide due to oxygen deprivation, though defense attorneys argued that drugs and a heart condition played a role. Three officers involved were charged with murder and manslaughter but were acquitted in December 2023; they subsequently resigned from the department in good standing, each receiving $500,000 from the city. The $6 million settlement comes after a prior $4 million payout by Pierce County in a related lawsuit. The Ellis family and their attorney maintain that despite the settlement, they continue to seek accountability and reforms to prevent future deaths in custody.