Daunte Wright shooting: what was the Kim Potter trial verdict, what is her sentence - and who is she?

Kim Potter has been found guilty of both manslaughter charges over the shooting of Daunte Wright.

The former Minneapolispolice officer who shot and killed the black motorist has said she is sorry it happened.

Wright, 20, was killed on 11 April 2021 in Minnesota - a city that was already on edge because of the trial of the first of four police officers charged in George Floyd’s death.

Wright’s shooting sparked protests and a curfew was been put in place in the city, a curfew that was broken by protesters throwing bottles and fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.

Here is everything you need to know about it.

What happened in the shooting?

Authorities said a car was pulled over for having expired registration, and after determining the driver had an outstanding warrant, police said they tried to arrest him.

Then the driver re-entered the vehicle, and an officer fired, striking him, police said. The vehicle travelled several blocks before striking another vehicle.

Wright’s family offered a different account, with Wright’s mother Katie saying her son was shot before getting back into the car.

At the time, Brooklyn Centre Police Chief Tim Gannon described the shooting as “an accidental discharge”, and said at a news conference that the officer made a mistake, meaning to grab her Taser instead of her firearm.

Gannon resigned from his position two days later.

Body camera showed three officers around a stopped car. When another officer attempted to handcuff Wright, a struggle ensued; Potter was heard shouting “Taser” several times before firing her weapon.

A female passenger - Wright’s girlfriend - sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the crash, authorities said.

Court records show Wright was being sought after failing to appear in court on charges that he fled from officers and possessed a gun without a permit during an encounter with Minneapolis police in June 2020.

In that case, a statement of probable cause said police got a call about a man waving a gun who was later identified as Wright.

What is Potter’s sentence?

At the time of the shooting, Potter had been with the had been with the Brooklyn Centre Police department since 1995.

After deliberating for 27 hours over four days, an all-wight jury found Potter guilty of first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter on 23 December.

A crowd outside the courtroom cheered as the verdict was read out, with Wright’s brother Damik telling supporters “we’ve waited a long time” and “we’re happy with the verdict”.

The judge ordered that she be immediately remanded into custody and held without bail, and was taken to Shakopee Women's Correctional Facility to await sentencing.

She faces up to 25 years in prison and will be sentenced on 18 February 2022.

Potter’s charge of first-degree manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 (£22,300) fine. Her second-degree manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and/or a $20,000 (£14,900) fine.

However, Minnesota state law allows people with no prior criminal record to receive much less severe sentences.

Guidelines recommend between six and 8.5 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter, and between 3.5 to nearly five years for second-degree manslaughter.

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