TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Eyewitness testimony Tuesday in the continuing trial three police officers, who are white and Asian American, charged with the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man, starkly contradicted the picture the officers’ lawyers painted. The Pierce County Medical Examiner ruled the March 3, 2020, death of Ellis, 33, a homicide caused by lack of oxygen during physical restraint. Collins told Pierce County sheriff’s detectives that Ellis had attacked him by hurling him through the air to land on his back. Burbank was almost instantly on top of Ellis and swung up to three times to punch Ellis, according to Lowery. As Lowery left the scene, he said it appeared the officers had apprehended Ellis and were in control of him.

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Persons: Manuel Ellis, Keyon Lowery, Ellis didn't, ” Lowery, “, Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank, Ellis, Timothy Rankine, Ellis ’, George Floyd’s, Casey Arbenz, Collins, Lowery, Sara McDowell, Pierce, Burbank, McDowell Organizations: Pierce County Superior, Tacoma, Tacoma Police Department, Medical, Collins Locations: TACOMA, Pierce County, Tacoma , Washington, American, Pierce, Minneapolis, Burbank, Washington