Kim Potter trial: Body cam shows officer yell ‘I grabbed the wrong f****** gun’ after shooting
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Minnesota police officer Kim Potter, 49, appeared in court on Wednesday as opening arguments began in her trial for the death of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man who was killed during a traffic stop in April in the city of Brooklyn Center.
At the crux of the prosecution’s opening was the assertion that Ms Potter “betrayed her badge” and displayed recklessness and negligence when she shot Wright after drawing her gun instead of a taser. The court was shown photos of the jacket Wright was wearing, which was covered in blood.
In its opening, the defence sought to cast blame on Wright, suggesting that he wouldn’t have been shot if he’d listened to Ms Potter’s demands. Attorney Paul Engh asserted that Ms Potter went to tase Wright because “he was going to kill her partner”.
As for her pulling the gun instead of the taser, Mr Engh said: “She made a mistake. This is an accident. She is a human being.”
Wright’s mother, Katie Bryant, took the stand for the defence and broke down in tears as she described her last phone call with her son.
A jury of 14, a majority of whom are white, will hear the case and consider charges of first degree and second degree manslaughter.
Crossing examination highlights how officer warned Daunte Wright not to resist
The cross-examination is now drawing attention to how officers warned Daunte Wright not to resist his arrest.
“Don’t do it, bro,” body camera footage captures officer Anthony Luckey saying.
Once the officer put handcuffs on the 20-year-old, Mr Luckey said he felt an “immediate jerk” as Mr Wright attempted to evade capture, the start of a physical struggle that ended in the young man’s death at the hands of former officer Kim Potter.
Multiple officers were already restraining Daunte Wright before shooting, jury hears
The prosecution is now questioning officer Luckey on redirect.
He’s recounting how multiple officers were physically restraining Daunte Wright before former Brooklyn Center policewoman Kim Potter drew her weapon.
Mr Luckey also added that he didn’t see Mr Wright, who was first handcuffed after the discovery of a misdemeanor weapons charge, in possession of any guns or making any moves to withdraw a weapon.
Jury excused for the day
That’s all for today.
After an intense day of testimony from Daunte Wright’s mother, as well officer Anthony Luckey, one of the Brooklyn Center police officers on the scene the day of the shooting, jurors have been sent home.
The Kim Potter trial will resume on Thursday at 9am CT at the Hennepin County Justice Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.