Former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter was arrested on Wednesday and released on $ 100,000 later that day. Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office hide caption
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Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
Former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter was arrested on Wednesday and released on $ 100,000 later that day.
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
The former Brooklyn Center, Minnesota policewoman charged with the murder of Daunte Wright first appeared in court when the Wright family kept calling for consequences.
Police officers said Kim Potter, a 48-year-old white woman, mistook her pistol for her taser when she shot and killed Wright, a 20-year-old black man, last Sunday. Potter can be heard saying “Taser!” In body camera footage. just before he was shot.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office has charged Potter with second degree manslaughter. She faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Potter was arrested on Wednesday and released later that day after depositing a $ 100,000 bond.
She is represented by Earl Gray, a high profile defense attorney from Minnesota who has represented several police officers and former Viking quarterback Daunte Culpepper. One of his current clients is Thomas Lane, a former Minneapolis police officer who detained George Floyd.
The court’s appearance on Thursday was very brief and was directed by Zoom.
Your next appearance is planned for Monday, May 17th in person. The case was assigned to Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu.
Naisha Wright, Daunte Wright’s aunt, held up pictures of a taser and a pistol to express skepticism about the police characterization of the shooting as an “accident”. Kerem Yucel / AFP via Getty Images Hide caption
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Kerem Yucel / AFP via Getty Images
Naisha Wright, Daunte Wright’s aunt, held up pictures of a taser and a pistol to express skepticism about the police characterization of the shooting as an “accident”.
Kerem Yucel / AFP via Getty Images
At a church in North Minneapolis, Daunte Wright’s family and attorney Benjamin Crump held a press conference demanding further consequences for Potter. They also lamented their son’s name, which was followed by the names of other black men killed by police officers in encounters that started over what appeared to be minor violations, such as Eric Garner, who sold loose cigarettes, and George Floyd, who sold a fake 20- Used dollar bill.
“They were not given due process. They were not allowed to take the officers to court and bring the witnesses and evidence to a jury to make a decision,” Crump said.
Crump has represented more than a dozen families in high-level police brutality cases, many of which have not resulted in charges against the officers involved. He said The manslaughter charge against Kim Potter was evidence of change in America.
“Daunte Wright has received an indictment and an arrest for the officer who shot him,” he said. “So we’re making progress, and I want to encourage the protesters – these young people, these activists – to make a difference.”
At one point Dauntes aunt Naisha Wright held up pictures of a taser and a Glock pistol and asked how Potter could have confused the two, police officers said.
According to the criminal complaint, the taser used by Potter was light yellow and holstered on her left hip, while her pistol, a Glock pistol, was carried on her right hip and would have been significantly heavier. The former Brooklyn Center police chief, who resigned Tuesday, described the shooting as “accidental”.
“Justice? What is justice? Can we see Daunte’s smile? We can’t see that. Can we hear Daunte joking again? We can’t hear that,” said Naisha Wright. “My brother and sister need this woman to be judged.”
In calling for Potter’s conviction, Crump pointed to the case of Mohamed Noor, a former Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed Justine Damond, a white woman, in 2017.
Damond had called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her house. When Noor and his partner arrived they parked in the alley a few minutes later Damond approached the driver’s window. Noor shot and killed her and later stated that he feared for his partner’s life.
The Somali-American Noor was charged and convicted of third degree murder and second degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison.
“All [the Wright] The family strives to achieve full accountability and equal justice. No more or no less, “said Crump.
Minnesota activists have long complained that cops who kill black people have had no similar consequences.
Several high profile police killings have taken place in Minnesota in recent years – including George Floyd and Philando Castile, who were shot dead by an officer during a traffic obstruction after it was revealed that he was legally carrying a gun. The officer’s acquittal sparked protests in Minneapolis.
Noor is currently believed to be the only Minnesota officer convicted of murder in the police on-duty murder case. That could change as soon as next week, as the jury hears final arguments in the Derek Chauvin trial and begins deliberations.
