The former Minnesota police officer who claimed she mistook her gun for a Taser when she shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop was released from prison Monday.
Kim Potter, who was sentenced to two years in prison for manslaughter in April 2021, was released from the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee at 4 a.m. Monday, according to a statement from the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Spokesman Andy Skoogman said the early morning release was ordered after department analysts learned of “threatening comments directed at them and the potential for violent protests” outside the facility.
“Based on the information we gathered, we released Ms. Potter at a time that we felt was safest for her and for everyone at the correctional facility,” Skoogman said.
Skoogman told USA TODAY that no protesters or family members were present at Potter’s release. She served 16 months in prison and will serve the remainder of her sentence on probation in Wisconsin through Dec. 21, according to the agency.
Wright’s mother says she ‘feared’ Potter’s release
Wright’s family members, her lawyers and civil rights activists criticized Potter’s verdict at the time. Wright’s mother told CNN that she had “feared” Potter’s release, but that Potter’s inability to work as a police officer gave her “a sense of peace.”
“Some say I should forgive to find peace, but how can I? I’m so angry. She’ll be able to watch her children have children and touch them,” Katie Wright told the outlet.
What happened during the shooting?
Potter and another officer stopped Wright for using his turn signal in the wrong turn lane, having expired license plates, and having an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. Officers learned Wright had another warrant out for his arrest. While attempting to arrest him, a struggle ensued and Potter shot him while yelling “Taser.”
The shooting occurred as former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was on trial for the 2020 murder of George Floyd, sparking days of protests in nearby Brooklyn Center.
Judge said Potter made a “tragic mistake”; Potter apologized at the verdict
Potter faced a maximum sentence of 15 years. Judge Regina Chu pointed to Chauvin, who was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for Floyd’s murder, when explaining why she imposed a lighter sentence.
“This is not a police officer who was convicted of murder for holding a man down with his knee for 9.5 minutes while he gasped for air,” Chu said.
Potter was “a police officer who made a tragic mistake,” she said.
Potter, who had worked for the police for 26 years, apologized to Wright’s family during the sentencing.
“Katie, I understand a mother’s love and I’m sorry for breaking your heart,” she said. “My heart is broken for all of you.”
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Contributors: Grace Hauck
Contact breaking news reporter N’dea Yancey-Bragg at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @NdeaYanceyBragg
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kim Potter, former Minnesota police officer who killed Daunte Wright, released
