Kim Potter is set to make her first court appearance. According to USA Today, the former Brooklyn Center police officer, who is charged with second-degree manslaughter for the shooting death of Daunte Wright, will appear in court later today (April 15).
As reported by REVOLT, Potter was arrested on Wednesday (April 14) and charged with killing the 20-year-old, but was released from the Hennepin County Jail just hours later. Potter was held on a $100,000 bail, though The New York Times reports a judge also gave her the option of posting a $50,000 bail if she agreed to surrender her passport, guns and ammunition and stays in Minnesota.
According to charging documents, prosecutors accuse Potter of “culpable negligence” and say she “created an unreasonable risk” when she shot Wright with a handgun instead of a taser. The former Brooklyn Center police chief previously described the shooting as “an accidental discharge” and said Potter yelled “Taser!” despite shooting her gun, which was seen in body camera footage from the incident.
“Certain occupations carry an immense responsibility and none more so than a sworn police officer,” Washington County Assistant Criminal Division Chief Imran Ali said. “We will vigorously prosecute this case and intend to prove that officer Potter abrogated her responsibility to protect the public when she used her firearm rather than her taser. Her action caused the unlawful killing of Mr. Wright and she must be held accountable.”
Potter faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine if found guilty of second-degree manslaughter. USA Today reports that the ex-cop is being represented by attorney Earl Gray, who also works on behalf of Thomas Lane, one of the former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd.
In the wake of Wright’s death, Potter and the Brooklyn Center police chief resigned on Tuesday (April 13). The city manager, Curt Boganey, was fired.