Pierce County, Washington, has reached a proposed settlement of $4 million with the household of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who died in police custody in March 2020.
In line with CNN, the Pierce County Council is about to vote on approving the settlement.
“This proposed settlement will deliver the county’s involvement with this lawsuit to a detailed,” Pierce County Lawyer’s Workplace spokesperson Adam Faber stated. “As at all times, litigation settlements are made with threat administration rules in thoughts. We acknowledge that the household and mates of Manuel Ellis are grieving, and we hope this settlement will give them some measure of closure.”
The lawsuit, filed within the U.S. District Court docket for the Western District of Washington, named six defendants, together with the Metropolis of Tacoma, Pierce County, six Tacoma law enforcement officials—three of whom are nonetheless going through legal fees—and two Pierce County sheriff’s deputies.
As a part of the settlement, the claims in opposition to the county and its deputies will probably be dropped, however the lawsuit will proceed in opposition to the others. Matthew Erickson, one of many attorneys for Ellis’ mom and sister, stated the household is proud of the settlement after a two-year struggle for justice.
“We’re completely satisfied to have reached this settlement with the county. Nothing concerning the final two years has been simple for the Ellis household,” Erickson stated in a press release, “however on the finish of the day I commend Pierce County for making the deliberate resolution to hunt a compromise reasonably than litigating this lawsuit to the nth diploma.”
Ellis died the evening of March 3, 2020. He went to a 7-Eleven to get snacks when he was stopped by two Tacoma law enforcement officials, based on the household’s lawsuit. Police ultimately tried to arrest Ellis for “making an attempt to open automobile doorways of occupied autos” and Ellis was restrained after a bodily altercation, the Tacoma police stated.
Three Tacoma law enforcement officials have been criminally charged for Ellis’ loss of life. Officer Timothy Rankine was charged with first-degree homicide whereas Christopher Burbank and Matthew Collins had been charged with second-degree homicide, based on the Washington State Lawyer Common’s Workplace. All three males pleaded not responsible and had been launched on $100,000 bail final Might.
