OLYMPIA — The Attorney General’s review of the Manuel Ellis case remains on track with the publicly announced timeline, with a charging decision to come later this month.
On March 31, the office announced that experts assisting with the case required at least 4-6 weeks to complete their work, and that a charging decision would follow.
Since that announcement, the Attorney General’s Office continued conducting its own investigation. This investigation included interviews of witnesses who had not previously been interviewed by law enforcement. The office also identified and examined additional forensic evidence.
The Attorney General’s review team is finalizing its work. As previously announced, the review team consists of the Attorney General, Chief Deputy Attorney General, Chief of Staff, Deputy Attorney General; three Assistant Attorneys General in the Criminal Justice Division, including the Division Chief; an Assistant Attorney General in the Wing Luke Civil Rights Division; a Special Assistant Attorney General; and two retired state court judges.
“The City Council and I continue to stand in support of the requests of the Ellis family and the Tacoma community for the State of Washington to complete a thorough and independent investigation into the death of Manuel Ellis,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. “While it does not ease the grief of those waiting, we appreciate the Attorney General establishing a firm deadline for a charging decision in this case.”
The Attorney General’s Office will announce its charging decision on or before Thursday, May 27.
