Her sentencing is set for February 18,2022.
For first-degree manslaughter, the prosecution had to prove Potter caused Wright’s death while committing “reckless handling or use of a firearm so as to endanger the safety of another with such force and violence that death or great bodily harm to any person was reasonably foreseeable.”
The prosecution had to prove Potter cause Wright’s death “by her culpable negligence” for the second-degree manslaughter charge, meaning she “caused an unreasonable risk and consciously took a chance of causing death or great bodily harm” to Wright while using or possessing a firearm.
Potter faces the minimum of 15 years in prison for the first-degree manslaughter charge, according to the Associated Press.
“The Wright family is relieved that the justice system has provided some measures of accountability for the senseless death of their son, brother, father and friend,” the statement read.
They said the traffic stop was “unnecessary and overreaching” and called for a “change in policing, training and protocols.”
The attorneys now turn to ensuring Kim Potter receives “the strongest and most just sentence possible” and addressing “systematic failures” in the Brooklyn Center Police Department.
“If we are ever going to restore the confidence of Black and marginalized Americans in law enforcement, we need to have accountability and a commitment to listening and to create meaningful change,” the statement read.
“The moment that we heard guilty on the manslaughter one, emotions every single emotion that you can imagine just running through your body at that moment. I kind of let out a yelp because it was built up in the anticipation of what was to come while we were waiting for the last few days. Now we’ve been able to process it. We want to thank the entire prosecution team. We want to take community support, everybody that has been in this long fight of accountability with us”, Bryant said.
During a press conference following the jury verdict, Ellison said he was reflecting on Daunte Wright’s life “and who he could have become.”
He said the jury brought accountability, but not justice, with their guilty verdict.
Ellison thanked the jury, the prosecution team and the community for its support during the trial. He added that his thoughts are with Potter and her family at this time, noting that she is “remorseful.”
He said the prosecution will be calling for a “fair” sentencing for Potter in February and added that Wright’s family will give a victim impact statement to “talk about how this tragic incident impacted their lives.”
After the guilty verdict was announced, the small crowd cheered, waved signs and chanted “Justice for Daunte Wright.”
According to reporters at the courthouse, Wright’s brother, Damik, is among the crowd.
This comes after Potter was found guilty on both charges of Manslaughter.
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The sentencing date was set for Feb. 18, 2022 at 9 a.m.
Potter was handcuffed in the courtroom and taken into custody.
As she left, a man identified as Potter’s husband yelled “I love you, Kim.” She responded with a quiet, “I love you.”
Prosecutor Matthew Frank countered the defense’s statement by revealing that Potter is currently not living in Minnesota, and said she should remain in custody after being convicted of serious crimes.
“I cannot treat this case any differently than I would treat any other case,” Chu said, siding with the state.
Judge Chu stood firm on her previous ruling and then ordered that Potter be taken into custody and held without bail.
“You are the heroes of this case,” she said.
She said the jurors brought their common sense and life experiences into deliberations.
“You did your duty,” she said. “I am proud of you, you should be proud of yourselves.”
“Thank you for your sacrifices,” she added.
Potter was found guilty of both manslaughter in the first and second degree.
The defense team, lead by attorney Earl Gray, argued Potter made an honest mistake by pulling her handgun instead of her Taser. He said Wright “caused the whole incident” after he attempted to get back in his car and leave when officers tried to place him under arrest.
Potter is charged with first- and second-degree manslaughter. She faces a seven-year sentence if found guilty. The prosecution previously said it will seek more jail time if she is convicted.
There was speculation of a hung jury after jurors asked Judge Regina Chu what to do if they couldn’t agree earlier this week. She told them to continue deliberating.
FULL STORY: Kim Potter Trial Live Updates: Closing Arguments Begin Monday
According to a jury note, “a trial outcome has been reached and will be read on the record today.” The note does not explicitly say a verdict has been reached.
The jury deliberated for over 27 hours over the last four days.
The Law & Crime Network will stream the jury decision on YouTube.
