Shortly after word was made public that an “outcome” had been reached by a Minneapolis jury in the trial of Kim Potter on Thursday, Hennepin County Judge Regina M. Chu announced that the white former police officer is guilty on both charges, first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter.
Potter will now face up to 15 years in prison, and the New York Times writes “prosecutors have indicated that they will ask the judge to hand down a longer-than-average prison term.” The 49-year-old will be held without bail pending her sentencing, which is set for February 2022.
In April of this year, Potter—then working as a cop with the Brooklyn Center Police Department in Minnesota—fatally shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright during a traffic stop. At the time, Wright was driving with his girlfriend in the passenger seat.
Wright’s death spurred protests, in Minnesota and beyond, and Potter—who left the force two days after fatally shooting Wright—made the claim that she meant to reach for her Taser but had grabbed her gun by mistake.
“Daunte Wright’s death was a tragedy,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in May when confirming his office would lead the prosecution against Potter, who was initially charged with second-degree manslaughter. “He should not have died on the day that he did. He should not have died the way that he did. His parents, brothers, sisters, and friends must now live the rest of their lives without him. His son, only two years old, will grow up without his father. I have privately expressed my condolences and sorrow to the family and expect to work with them closely throughout the proceedings.”
In September, the first-degree manslaughter charge against Potter was added, with Ellison’s office explaining that the decision to file an amended complaint was spurred in part by consultative discussions with a use-of-force expert. Amid coverage of this month’s trial, included in this Associated Press report, experts pointed to numerous mistakes they say Potter (who was training a new cop during the traffic stop) made in the moments leading up to her fatal shooting of Wright.
