Man Harassed Judge Overseeing Kim Potter Trial: Charge

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis man is accused of trying to intimidate the judge presiding over the manslaughter case involving former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter.

Cortez A. Rice, 32, was charged in Hennepin County with tampering with a judicial officer. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

If convicted, Rice faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Authorities said Rice was motivated after Hennepin County District Judge Regina Chu ruled that cameras would not be allowed inside the courtroom during Potter's trial. Potter faces first- and second-degree manslaughter charges in the April 11 fatal shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright.

On Nov. 9, Chu reversed her own decision and allowed cameras due to the rapid spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus. She wrote that activists did not influence her decision.

On Nov. 6, Rice was among a group of activists who showed up at an apartment building in Minneapolis, according to authorities. The protesters believed they were at the building where Chu lived, according to the criminal complaint.

While other activists remained outside, Rice went inside and up to the 12th floor, investigators said.

"I don’t know if this is her crib. I think this is her crib right here. We got confirmation that this is her house right here," Rice said in a YouTube livestream, according to the criminal complaint.

"We demand transparency. We’d hate you to get kicked out of your apartment," Rice yelled, according to police.

Another protester said the incident was a "trial run" and they would return, the criminal complaint states.

Authorities interviewed Chu, who said she believes the protesters attempted to intimidate her and interfere with the judicial process, according to investigators.