Kim Potter, who was convicted of manslaughter after mistaking her handgun for a Taser in the 2021 incident, is set to be released from prison after serving 16 months. Daunte Wright was 20 years old.
The former Minnesota officer was convicted of manslaughter after she apparently mistook her gun for her Taser when she fatally shot the 20-year-old Black man. She will serve 16 months in prison.
The former Minnesota police officer mistakenly drew her firearm instead of her Taser when she fatally shot the 20-year-old Black man during a traffic stop in April.
Attorneys have made their closing arguments in the case of the former Minnesota police officer, who fatally killed Daunte Wright. The case is now in the hands of the jury.
The former Minnesota officer on trial in the shooting death of Daunte Wright said she believed he was trying to flee an arrest. Defense lawyers say that fleeing would have endangered a fellow officer.
Potter, a white former police officer, says she drew her gun by mistake when she fatally shot Wright, a Black motorist. Of the first 12 jurors seated, one identifies as Black and two as Asian.
A Minnesota judge says there is enough probable cause for a trial to proceed against Kim Potter, who faces second-degree manslaughter for shooting Wright during a traffic stop in April.
Kim Potter has been charged with second-degree manslaughter. Wright's family has expressed skepticism about the police explanation that Potter mistook her gun for her Taser.
Police officials previously said Kim Potter mistook her handgun for her Taser when she shot the 20-year-old on Sunday. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
The resignations of Kim Potter, who fired her gun at Wright, and Chief Tim Gannon come after the city council passed a resolution calling for them to be relieved of duty.
