A group of federal prosecutors has completed an independent review of the criminal trial involving Tacoma Police Department Officers Burbank, Collins, and Rankine in connection with the death of Manuel Ellis on March 3, 2020. The examination centered on whether actions in the case violated 18 U.S.C. § 242, a federal law that addresses official misconduct by government officials.
According to the Department of Justice, "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."
The department stated it has ended its investigation after concluding this detailed assessment.
