Ex-Cop Kim Potter Lists 4 Defenses She May Use In Court

HENNEPIN COUNTY, MN — Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter notified the court Thursday of four defenses she may use in the manslaughter trial against her.

Potter faces first and second-degree manslaughter charges in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright.

Potter's defense team says they may use one of the following defenses in her trial, which is set to begin Nov. 30:

• Innocent accident
• Innocent mistake
• Her perceived use of Taser was reasonable
• Lack of causation

If convicted of first-degree manslaughter, Potter, 48, faces up to 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. Second-degree manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Potter been out on bail since posting a $100,000 bond at the Hennepin County Jail on April 16.

Just before 2 p.m. on Aug. 11, Brooklyn Center police Officer Anthony Luckey and his field training officer, Potter, pulled over a white Buick at 63rd Avenue North and Orchard Avenue North in Brooklyn Center. Wright was driving the Buick, police said.

Luckey checked Wright's identification and found that he was the subject of a warrant for a gross misdemeanor weapons charge. Luckey and Potter approached the driver's side of the car and asked Wright to get out and place his hands behind his back, according to the criminal complaint.

Wright did so, and Luckey told him he was being arrested on the outstanding warrant, according to authorities.

At 2:01:49 p.m., Wright pulled away from the officers and got back into the driver's seat of his car, with Luckey trying to maintain physical control of Wright, according to authorities.

At 2:01:55 p.m., Potter said she would use a stun gun on Wright before pulling out her Glock 9mm handgun with her right hand, authorities said. She pointed it at Wright and again said she would stun him, according to investigators.

At 2:02 p.m., Potter said, "Taser, Taser, Taser," and pulled the trigger on her handgun at 2:02:01 p.m., firing one round into the left side of Wright, according to authorities.

Wright shouted, "Ah, he shot me," and the car sped away for a short distance before crashing into another car. An ambulance was called, and Wright died at the scene, according to investigators.

Wright died of a gunshot wound; the death was ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

Body Camera Footage Released

In body camera footage from the shooting, three officers are seen struggling with Wright as he tries to get back into his car.

In the video, which readers should be warned is extremely graphic, Potter yells, "Taser! Taser!" before yelling, "I shot him!"

Potter's Resignation

Potter worked for the Brooklyn Center Police Department for 26 years. She resigned on April 13, two days after Wright's death.

"I am tendering my resignation from the Brooklyn Center Police Department effective immediately," Potter wrote.

"I have loved every minute of being a police officer and serving this community to the best of my ability, but I believe it is in the best interest of the community, the department, and my fellow officers if I resign immediately."