https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/08/us/kim-p ... index.htmlOpening statements to begin in trial of Kimberly Potter, ex-cop who killed Daunte Wright
Opening statements in the trial of a suburban Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright during a routine traffic stop are expected Wednesday in the same courtroom where another ex-cop was convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd.
Officer Kimberly Potter, 49, faces first- and second-degree manslaughter charges in a homicide her lawyers have suggested resulted from her mistaking her gun for a Taser in April. Potter has pleaded not guilty and faces at least a decade in prison if convicted.
Just as video footage played a crucial role in the case against Chauvin, body camera video is expected to be critical in the trial against Potter, who is White.
In the footage, Potter can be heard yelling "Taser" repeatedly before she points her handgun and shoots the unarmed Wright.
After firing, Potter is heard yelling: "Holy s***! I just shot him!"
Potter's testimony could also be crucial. Defense attorney Paul Engh told a prospective juror that Potter will take the stand.
Wright was driving on a Sunday afternoon in April when officers pulled him over for an expired tag, police said. The amended criminal complaint said Wright was also stopped because his car "had an air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror."
During the stop, officers learned he had an outstanding warrant and attempted to arrest him.
The actual body cam footage is at the link. She clearly has her handgun out while shouting "TASER TASER TASER" and seems genuinely shocked when she shoots him. He clearly resisted arrest. It's really a tragic situation.