Kim Potter, the Minnesota police officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright, an unarmed 20-year-old African American, was sentenced this Friday to two years in prison.
Last April, Potter drew her firearm instead of her stun gun during the police stop in which she shot the young man.
In her defense, she said it was a mistake.
The jury found her guilty of first and second degree murder in Wright's death.
The victim's relatives had asked the Hennepin County (Minnesota) court judge to grant the maximum sentence to Potter, who risked 15 years in prison.
"This case is very unusual," said Judge Regina M. Chu before announcing the sentence.
It is "one of the saddest cases I have had in my 20 years on the court."
Chu called Potter's manslaughter a "tragic mistake" that "ended up killing a young man."
The maximum penalty for first-degree manslaughter based on the reckless use or handling of a firearm is 15 years in prison.
However, since Potter, 49, has no criminal record, he risked between 6 and 8.5 years in prison.
Katie Wright, mother of Daunte Wright, testified this Friday through tears: “A police officer, sworn to serve and protect, did so for 26 years, but not on that day.
That day, she did not protect anyone.
She failed Daunte, our family, and our community,” she maintained.
"She didn't even try to save him," she continued.
“Katie,” the former police officer responded, “I understand a mother's love and I'm sorry I broke your heart.
My heart is broken for all of you.
Earlier, when you said I didn't look at you during the trial, I thought I had no right to do so.
I didn't even have the right to be in the same room with you.
I'm so sorry I hurt you so much."
On April 21, 2021, Potter stopped Wright's car for allegedly committing a minor traffic violation.
In the interaction, the police and two of his companions discovered that the young man had an outstanding court order for carrying a weapon without permits and tried to arrest him.
In response to Wright's resistance, the officer pointed a gun at her and yelled “taser” three times, referring to the stun gun, which emits electric shocks.
However, Potter fired his firearm, killing the African-American.
Days later, and amid racial protests, the agent resigned from the Brooklyn Center Police Department.
At trial, Potter confessed to being "very sorry" for what happened.
Lawyers for the Wright family did not dispute that the former police officer mistakenly drew her gun, thinking it was her stun gun.
During the two weeks of the trial, the prosecution focused on whether a service professional with 26 years of experience should have recognized that she had a heavier metal pistol in her hand, or whether the situation even required her to draw something. weapon.
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