Jury Selection Begins in Kim Potter Trial, Potter Expected to Testify
Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu says she expects opening statements to begin Dec. 8 in the trial of the state of Minnesota vs. Kim Potter, the former Brooklyn Center officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright last April during a traffic stop. Jury selection began with three jurors confirmed as of late afternoon Tuesday.
Judge Chu, who will preside over the case, estimated that the trial would wrap up no later than Christmas Eve. But if it needed to go past the Christmas holiday, the trial would resume Dec. 27.
“Our criminal justice system could not work without good citizens like you,” Judge Chu told members of the first jury pool candidates. “I know these are difficult times, but doing our duty in difficult times is the American way.”
A total of 14 jurors — 12 jurors and two alternates — need to be seated before opening statements.
Potter is charged with first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter. The second-degree charge requires the defense to prove Potter acted recklessly or with extreme negligence in causing Wright’s death. For the first-degree charge, the defense will have to show that Potter was not only negligent, but that she committed an underlying crime by misdemeanor mishandling of a weapon.
Attorneys revealed during jury selection that former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter will likely testify in her own defense.
Background of Jurors Selected So Far
All jury members were instructed not to do any research on the case nor to talk anyone about case during trial. Jurors selected so far include:
- Juror 7 – Man, white, 29 years old, bass player in rock band, operational manager at Target.
- Juror 6 – Woman, white, late 50s or early 60s, background as a teacher. Expressed negative views of both Kim Potter and Daunte Wright on her questionnaire. She is anti-gun. Is concerned about seeing graphic images. “When I first heard about this, my reaction was ‘how can this happen?'” she said. “And that’s still where I’m at. And this trial maybe could clarify.”
- Juror 2 – Man, white, late 30s or early 40s. Expressed that Blue Lives Matter is counter to Black Lives Matter and didn’t think it was fair representation of police. Believes “defund” the police sends a negative message. Doesn’t believe in getting rid of police, but did say changes needed to be made.
- Juror 11 – Woman, Asian, 40s. Has a brother who was a Marine. She had a female friend who was fatally stabbed five years ago in Minneapolis.
