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The trial of former police officer Kim Potter’s manslaughter is drawing to a close as attorneys deliver their final arguments. Potter fatally shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright while stopping traffic in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Central last April.
Potter sobbed when she stand up on Friday, testified that she intended to draw her Taser instead of the pistol when she shot Wright. She also said she was concerned he might be carrying a gun, after discovering that Wright had an arrest warrant related to the alleged use of a gun.
Potter faces two counts: first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter. For Potter to be found guilty, the jury must find that Potter acted recklessly or “reproachably negligent”.
Former Brooklyn police officer Kim Potter testified in court Friday at Hennepin District Court in Minneapolis, Minn. Potter was charged with first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 shooting of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black driver, following a traffic stop.
Court TV / AP
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Court TV / AP
Former Brooklyn police officer Kim Potter testified in court Friday at Hennepin District Court in Minneapolis, Minn. Potter was charged with first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 shooting of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black driver, following a traffic stop.
Court TV / AP
Prosecutors argued that Potter had received thorough training in the use of handguns and Taser guns, and that it was inappropriate for her to use the Taser in this situation.
Meanwhile, defense attorneys argued that Potter’s use of force was appropriate: At the time, fellow officer, Sgt. Mychal Johnson was leaning against the side of a passenger van, and they were afraid Wright might drive away. The defense said Wright’s shooting was an accident.
The deadly incident comes after days of protests in Downtown Brooklyn, and comes while the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin is underway in nearby Minneapolis.
