Former Brooklyn Center Police Department Officer Kim Potter made her first court appearance after being charged with second-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Daunte Wright. Appearing via Zoom, Potter learned more about the conditions of her bail and details pertaining to her next court appearance.
As reported previously, Potter remains at her home in Minnesota as she awaits her next court date. She is currently protected by constant police security. In addition, a fence has been put up around her home.
At this time, it is unclear if prosecutors will push for stronger charges. Moreover, Potter has not indicated whether she will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
Potter's court appearance comes at a tumultuous time for the greater Minneapolis community. As the defense prepared to wrap up for their case in the State v. Chauvin trial, the former police officer pulled over Wright for a minor traffic violation. During the encounter, Potter claims meant to reach for her taser, but she grabbed her gun instead. In the moments that followed, Potter shot and killed Wright as his friend and her colleagues watched on.
In less than 24 hours, Potter and Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon resigned from the positions. With Gannon's resignation, Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott has taken command of the town's police force.
While the police force reacts to the killing of an unarmed 20-year-old, demonstrators have taken to the streets to voice their frustrations with their local police force and police departments around the country. Within the last few days, protests have erupted in Seattle, New York, Los Angeles and several other major cities.
With the recent death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo in Chicago, it does not appear that police violence will end anywhere anytime soon.
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