Outcome reached in Kim Potter trial over Daunte Wright's death

Kim Potter is charged with first-degree and second-degree manslaughter.

ByKiara Alfonseca
Last Updated: December 23, 2021, 6:41 PM EST

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.

PHOTO: 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) in Minneapolis, Dec. 8, 2021.
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.
Court TV via AP, Pool
PHOTO: Signs stand on the south lawn, Nov. 30, 2021, at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis where jury selection begins for former police officer Kim Potter, who shot and killed motorist Daunte Wright.
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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Dec 21, 2021, 7:24 PM EST

Jury ends 2nd day of deliberations

The jury has ended their deliberations for the day and is expected to reconvene Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. CT.

Tuesday marked the jury’s first full day of deliberations, following the initial deliberations Monday afternoon that lasted roughly five hours. 

In the event a verdict has not been reached by the end of Thursday, the court is expected to take Friday -- Christmas Eve -- off, as well as this coming weekend.

Judge Regina Chu has repeatedly promised the jury they won’t be stuck in deliberation for the holiday “no matter what.” If deliberations go past Thursday, they may not pick back up again until the following Monday, Dec. 27.

— ABC News’ Sasha Pezenik

Dec 21, 2021, 5:47 PM EST

Jury asks question about not reaching consensus

The jury asked two questions at 5 p.m. ET.

"The first question is: 'If the jury cannot reach consensus, what is the guidance around how long and what steps should be taken?'" Judge Regina Chu read. 

She then re-read some of the juror instructions.  

"You should discuss the case with one another and deliberate with a view toward reaching an agreement if you can do so without violating your individual judgment," Chu said. "You should decide the case for yourself but only after you have discussed the case with your fellow jurors and have carefully considered their views." 

She added, "You should not hesitate to reexamine your views and change your opinion if you believe they are erroneous, but you should not surrender your honest opinion, simply because other jurors disagree or merely to reach a verdict." 

The jury also asked if the zip ties can be removed from Potter's gun, which has been submitted as evidence so it can be held out of the evidence box. 

Chu said yes.

Dec 21, 2021, 10:29 AM EST

Jury deliberations resume

The jury has reconvened for its second day of deliberations. The court will not be called into session Tuesday morning.

Dec 20, 2021, 8:27 PM EST

Jury ends deliberations for the day

The jury has ended deliberations for the day after approximately five hours. They will resume Tuesday morning.

During these deliberations, the jury is fully sequestered. They will be allowed to call family members so long as they don’t talk about the trial.