Judge Sets Dec. 6 Trial Date for Officer Charged in Daunte Wright’s Death
Judge Sets Dec. 6 Trial Date for Officer Charged in Daunte Wright’s Death
The former Brooklyn Center officer charged in the shooting death of Daunte Wright appeared in court via videoconference Monday.
Kim Potter, who sat behind her attorney Earl Gray, did not object to having the hearing held via Zoom.
Monday’s court date was a pretrial hearing. Such a hearing determines if there’s probable cause for the case to proceed. Judge Regina Chu agreed there was.
Potter is charged with second-degree manslaughter for fatally shooting Wright during an April 11 traffic stop. According to the criminal complaint, the traffic stop was conducted for expired tabs. Police later determined Wright had an outstanding warrant.
The former officer, a 26-year police veteran resigned following the incident, could be heard on bodycam video shouting “Taser!” several times before she fatally shot Wright with her handgun. Wright could be seen trying to drive away following a handcuff attempt by another officer.
Former Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon, who also resigned following the incident, believed Wright’s death was accidental. The second-degree manslaughter charge doesn’t require proof of intent. Wright’s family members wanted prosecutors to file murder charges.
Daunte Wright was the father of a 1-year-old son
Judge Chu set a trial date for Dec 6. The prosecution also filed a motion to allow video coverage of the trial. The defense says it will object to that motion.
Also see: Brooklyn Center City Council Passes Police Reform
