The trial of former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter charged in the death of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man who was fatally shot during a traffic stop, continues with Potter taking the stand to testify in her own defense.
Potter, 49, is charged with first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 incident. She has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
A screen grab from police video which shows the traffic stop during which Daunte Wright is fatally shot by Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter (not visible in this frame) is shown as evidence during the opening statements in the trial of Potter in the April 11, 2021 death of Wright in Minneapolis, Dec. 8, 2021.
Signs stand on the south lawn, Nov. 30, 2021, at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis where jury selection begins for former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter, who says she meant to grab her Taser instead of her handgun when she shot and killed motorist Daunte Wright.
Jim Mone/AP
The maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is 15 years and a $30,000 fine and for second-degree manslaughter, it's 10 years and a $20,000 fine.
Wright's death reignited protests against racism and police brutality across the U.S., as the killing took place just outside of Minneapolis, where the trial of Derek Chauvin, a former officer who was convicted of murdering George Floyd, was taking place.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Dec 17, 2021, 1:04 PM EST
Kim Potter takes the stand
Kim Potter is testifying in her own defense about the April 11, 2021, events that led to the death of Daunte Wright, who she shot and killed during a traffic stop. She is charged with first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter. The defense said Potter meant to use her Taser on Wright but instead grabbed her firearm when she shot him in the driver's seat of his car, a mistake her lawyers call an "action error."
The defense has maintained that Potter was within her rights to use deadly force on Wright since he could have hurt or killed another officer with his car.
Dec 09, 2021, 3:09 AM EST
Minnesota governor prepares National Guard 'out of an abundance of caution'
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced that he is preparing the Minnesota National Guard to provide public safety assistance if necessary during Kim Potter's trial, as requested by Hennepin County and the city of Brooklyn Center.
"Out of an abundance of caution, we are prepared to ask members of the Minnesota National Guard to be available to support local law enforcement with the mission of allowing for peaceful demonstrations, keeping the peace, and ensuring public safety," Walz said in a statement Wednesday evening.
A press release from Walz's press office stated that, "at this time, the Minnesota National Guard will not be proactively assuming posts throughout the Twin Cities." Guard members will only operate in support of local law enforcement "should they be needed," according to the press release.
Dec 08, 2021, 6:49 PM EST
New body-cam footage shows Potter moments after shooting Wright
New body-worn camera footage played in the courtroom while the prosecution questioned Brooklyn Center officer Anthony Luckey showed the moments after Kim Potter shot Daunte Wright.
In the video, taken from Luckey's body-worn camera, Potter can be seen falling to the curb.
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," she said, before hyperventilating for several minutes with her face buried in the grass.
Luckey's and Sgt. Mychal Johnson's arms can be seen reaching down to Potter.
Officer Kim Potter reacts on the ground after the traffic stop of Daunte Wright on April 11, 2021 in this image taken from police video played during Potter's trial in Minneapolis, Dec. 8, 2021.
Court TV via AP, Pool
"Just breathe," Luckey can be heard saying.
"I'm going to go to prison," Potter said.
"No, you're not," Luckey said.
"Kim, that guy was trying to take off with me in the car!" Johnson said in the video.
Officer Kim Potter reacts on the ground after the traffic stop of Daunte Wright on April 11, 2021 in this image taken from police video played during Potter's trial in Minneapolis, Dec. 8, 2021.
Court TV via AP, Pool
Potter then sat up on the grass and repeatedly said, "Oh my God," as her colleagues waved traffic by and discussed shutting down the street.
Court has wrapped for the day and will resume at 9 a.m. local time Thursday.
-ABC News' Sasha Pezenik
Dec 08, 2021, 5:57 PM EST
Brooklyn Center officer recounts fatal shot that killed Daunte Wright
Brooklyn Center officer Anthony Luckey said during his testimony that he was to the right of Kim Potter when she fatally shot Daunte Wright.
He said he was holding on to Wright when he heard Potter yell "Taser," several times.
Brooklyn Center police Officer Anthony Luckey, testifies in the trial of former Brooklyn Center police Officer Kim Potter in the April 11, 2021, death of Daunte Wright, Minneapolis, Dec. 8, 2021.
Court TV via AP, Pool
"It was pretty much some intense thing when it happened," Luckey said. "When she yelled, 'Taser, Taser,' that's when I went back into the vehicle, realized that she said 'Taser, Taser' and right when I pulled back, that's when the round went off."
Then, he said he saw the flash of a gun and heard the bang. He said he was hit with a projectile.
Luckey said he did not know whose gun had gone off initially, but said he knew it wasn't a shot fired by Wright.
"I just knew that it wasn't Daunte's because I was able to see his hands," Luckey said.
