Kim Potter, Ex-Officer Convicted of Shooting Daunte Wright, Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Prosecutors had sought a sentence of seven years and two months, the presumptive sentence below Minnesota tips for somebody with no prior file. Her legal professionals sought probation, citing her years of public service and regret.

The decide stated Ms. Potter, 49 years previous, would serve 16 months in jail and eight months of probation if she reveals good habits, which is in keeping with state tips.

“This is likely one of the saddest instances I’ve had in my 20 years on the bench,” stated Decide Regina Chu earlier than handing down the sentence.

Decide Chu stated she understood that some individuals would suppose her sentence was too lenient. However she drew a distinction between this case and that of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted final 12 months of second-degree homicide within the killing of George Floyd and is serving a sentence of twenty-two.5 years.

“It is a cop who made a tragic mistake,” the decide stated.

After the sentencing, Katie Wright, Mr. Wright’s mom, instructed native media, “Kim Potter murdered my son and he died April 11. Right this moment, the justice system murdered him another time.”

Ms. Potter’s lawyer, Paul Engh, who had stated in the course of the continuing that Ms. Potter’s psychological state had been deteriorating since she entered detention after the conviction, didn’t reply to a request for remark.

In a tearful assertion earlier than the sentencing in courtroom, Ms. Potter expressed her sorrow and stated she hoped the household might forgive her. “I pray for Daunte and for all of you a lot instances a day,” she stated.

Trahern Crews, founding father of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, stated the sentence “was rooted in anti-Blackness.” He stated that protesters can be gathering outdoors the constructing the place the courtroom is housed at 4 p.m. Friday.

Legal professional Normal Keith Ellison, whose workplace prosecuted the case, stated in an announcement that he accepted the decision and requested others to take action as properly. “I don’t ask you to agree together with her resolution, which takes nothing away from the reality of the jury’s verdict,” the assertion stated.

Ms. Potter, who’s white, pulled her 9mm handgun in the course of the wrestle to arrest Mr. Wright and stated, “I’ll tase ya,” in keeping with the prison grievance and video of the incident. She fired the weapon as Mr. Wright, whose mom is white and father is Black, tried to drive away. She stated, “I shot him. I grabbed the mistaken f—ing gun,” in keeping with the grievance. “I’m going to go to jail.”

Throughout her testimony, she stated she didn’t recall saying these issues.

Officers instructed Mr. Wright he was being pulled over for having an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror and expired tags, in keeping with the grievance. Officers on the scene later realized he had an impressive warrant for a gross misdemeanor weapons violation.

Ms. Potter described in her testimony at trial a chaotic scenario after officers tried to arrest Mr. Wright for the excellent warrant and he broke free and tried to drive away.

The April 11 killing occurred in the course of the trial of Mr. Chauvin.

Mr. Chauvin additionally pleaded responsible to federal costs of violating Mr. Floyd’s civil rights. Three different officers concerned in Mr. Floyd’s arrest are standing trial in federal courtroom in St. Paul, Minn., on costs of violating Mr. Floyd’s civil rights. They’re anticipated to face state costs, together with aiding and abetting second-degree homicide, in June.

Following the capturing of Mr. Wright, Brooklyn Middle was rocked by a number of nights of protest and unrest. Ms. Potter and the Brooklyn Middle police chief resigned two days after the killing.

Write to Joe Barrett at joseph.barrett@wsj.com