Current:Home > ScamsMedical expert testifies restraint actions of Tacoma police killed Washington man-LoTradeCoin
Medical expert testifies restraint actions of Tacoma police killed Washington man
View Date:2024-12-23 18:23:43
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — An expert in forensic pathology testified Monday in the ongoing trail of three Tacoma, Washington, police officers charged with the death of Manuel Ellis that Ellis likely would have lived if not for the officers’ actions to restrain him.
Dr. Roger Mitchell, former chief medical examiner for Washington, D.C., made the statement Monday and last week affirmed ex-Pierce County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Clark’s ruling that Ellis died by homicide from oxygen deprivation caused by physical restraint, The Seattle Times reported.
Officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank, both white, are charged with murder and manslaughter in the death of Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man, on March 3, 2020. Officer Timothy Rankine, who is Asian American, is charged with manslaughter.
Collins and Burbank were the first officers to engage with Ellis and have said they did so because Ellis, on foot, was hassling people in a car as it passed through an intersection.
All have pleaded not guilty and remain employed by the Tacoma Police Department on paid leave.
Mitchell was questioned by special prosecutor Patty Eakes about medical findings that led him to his conclusion. Key among them, he said, was the presence of acidosis, a condition indicative of insufficient oxygen.
People experiencing low oxygen instinctively seek to breathe, and heavy breathing is the body’s natural cure for acidosis, Mitchell said. Ellis, pressed against the ground by police as he lay on his stomach, couldn’t find a position that allowed him to breathe, Mitchell testified.
Prosecutors previously said Ellis’ last words were “I can’t breathe.”
Defense attorneys have generally argued Ellis died of a methamphetamine overdose.
Collins’ lawyer, Jared Ausserer, later questioned Mitchell about describing himself on social media as “an advocate.” Mitchell, who is Black, said he is an advocate for finding public health solutions to problems that have disproportionately affected Black Americans.
Rankine’s lawyer, Mark Conrad, asked Mitchell whether he drew his conclusions from “circumstantial evidence.”
Mitchell said his conclusion — that restraint caused Ellis to be denied sufficient oxygen — was based on a number of factors: Ellis being placed in a prone position, his handcuffed hands hogtied to his feet, with a spit hood on his head; the presence of food and blood in his airways; and documentation at the scene that Ellis’ heart rate and breathing gradually deteriorated.
Last week two eyewitnesses characterized the officers as the aggressors in the altercation. Lawyers for the officers have said it was Ellis who acted aggressively, prompting them to respond.
Testimony is scheduled to resume Tuesday when the prosecution is expected to call a forensic audio expert to testify.
This is the first trial under a Washington state law that makes it easier to prosecute police who wrongfully use deadly force.
The trial, which started Oct. 3, is expected to run four days per week until December.
veryGood! (13)
Related
- US wholesale inflation picks up slightly in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Chicago Bears schedule a Wednesday announcement on new stadium near lakefront
- Patti Smith was 'moved' to be mentioned on Taylor Swift's 'Tortured Poets Department'
- When red-hot isn’t enough: New government heat risk tool sets magenta as most dangerous level
- Sting Says Sean Diddy Combs Allegations Don't Taint His Song
- Maui officials push back on some details in Hawaii attorney general report on deadly wildfire
- Yale student demonstrators arrested amid pro-Palestinian protest
- Judge OKs phone surveys of jury pool for man charged in 4 University of Idaho student deaths
- World War II veteran reflects on life as he turns 100
- Julia Fox Tearfully Pays Tribute to Little Sister Eva Evans After Her Death
Ranking
- Queen Bey and Yale: The Ivy League university is set to offer a course on Beyoncé and her legacy
- When red-hot isn’t enough: New government heat risk tool sets magenta as most dangerous level
- Youth group, environmental organizations sue Maine for action on climate
- Israeli strikes in Rafah kill 18, mostly children, Palestinian officials say
- Martin Scorsese on faith in filmmaking, ‘The Saints’ and what his next movie might be
- Missouri lawmakers again try to kick Planned Parenthood off Medicaid
- Scottie Scheffler claims RBC Heritage title, wins for fourth time in last five tournaments
- Florida State vs. ACC: Takeaways from court hearing as FSU's lawsuit hits a snag
Recommendation
-
Kennesaw State football coach Brian Bohannon steps down after 10 seasons amid first year in FBS
-
PEN America calls off awards ceremony amid criticism over its response to Israel-Hamas war
-
What is the best milk alternative? Here's how to pick the healthiest non-dairy option
-
Without cameras to go live, the Trump trial is proving the potency of live blogs as news tools
-
Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress
-
John Travolta Reveals His Kids' Honest Reaction to His Movies
-
Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis' 10-Year-Old Son Otis Is All Grown Up in Rare Photo
-
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs helped off with left knee injury in Game 2 against Cavaliers