Two years after Daunte Wright was shot dead by a Minnesota police officer, Kim Potter, the officer charged with killing him has been released from prison. Potter claims that on April 11, 2021, she mistook her gun for a taser, a mistake that cost the 20-year-old black man his life. The former police officer was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and awarded a two-year sentence for her crime.

Potter claims she believed she was gripping her Taser and not her gun at the time. On the police body cam video, she is even heard yelling "Taser" several times just before she fires her pistol as Wright attempted to drive away.

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Of the two years, she spent 16 months behind bars. Department of Corrections spokesman Andy Skoogman said that Potter will be on supervised release until December 21st and that this time will be spent in Wisconsin.

As per the news agency AP, under Minnesota state law, felons sentenced to prison sentence typically serve only two-thirds of their sentence behind bars. The remaining time is served on supervised release.

Based on state guidelines, the state attorney general's office had recommended a sentence of just over seven years in prison for Potter. However, she received a two-year sentence from Judge Regina Chu. This drew criticism&nbsp;from the Wright family as well as their lawyer, Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney.&nbsp;

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Katie Wright, Daunte's mother after the sentencing, exclaimed that Potter murdered her son, and "today the justice system murdered him all over again."

However, defence attorneys, as per AP, argued that Potter had the right to defend herself from Wright, who was trying to drive away.

Judge Chu at the time classified Daunte Wright's killing as separate from high-profile killings like George Floyd, the trial of which was happening when the fatal incident happened. For killing Floyd, former police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two years after Daunte Wright was shot dead by a Minnesota police officer, Kim Potter, the officer charged with killing him has been released from prison. Potter claims that on April 11, 2021, she mistook her gun for a taser, a mistake that cost the 20-year-old black man his life.

Two years after Daunte Wright was shot dead by a Minnesota police officer, Kim Potter, the officer charged with killing him has been released from prison. Potter claims that on April 11, 2021, she mistook her gun for a taser, a mistake that cost the 20-year-old black man his life. The former police officer was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and awarded a two-year sentence for her crime. Potter claims she believed she was gripping her Taser and not her gun at the time. On the police body cam video, she is even heard yelling "Taser" several times just before she fires her pistol as Wright attempted to drive away. Also read | Three months into 2023, China approves record coal burning plants despite pledge to reduce emissions Of the two years, she spent 16 months behind bars. Department of Corrections spokesman Andy Skoogman said that Potter will be on supervised release until December 21st and that this time will be spent in Wisconsin. As per the news agency AP, under Minnesota state law, felons sentenced to prison sentence typically serve only two-thirds of their sentence behind bars. The remaining time is served on supervised release. Based on state guidelines, the state attorney general's office had recommended a sentence of just over seven years in prison for Potter. However, she received a two-year sentence from Judge Regina Chu. This drew criticism from the Wright family as well as their lawyer, Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney. Also read | British citizens complain of being 'abandoned' in Sudan Katie Wright, Daunte's mother after the sentencing, exclaimed that Potter murdered her son, and "today the justice system murdered him all over again." However, defence attorneys, as per AP, argued that Potter had the right to defend herself from Wright, who was trying to drive away. Judge Chu at the time classified Daunte Wright's killing as separate from high-profile killings like George Floyd, the trial of which was happening when the fatal incident happened. For killing Floyd, former police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Daunte Wright's killer, Kim Potter released from prison

On Thursday, a former United States police officer was found guilty of manslaughter for fatally shooting a young African-American during a traffic stop, claiming that she mistook her weapon for a Taser.

Kim Potter, 49, was found guilty of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter for killing 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, earlier this year in April.

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It took place during the trial of white policeman Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on the neck of Black man George Floyd for around nine minutes in May 2020, asphyxiating him.

Nationwide protests against police brutality and racism were sparked by Floyd's death.&nbsp;

Potter is now facing up to 15 years in prison on the first charge and 10 years on the second charge, and her sentencing is expected to take place in February.

While the judge read out the guilty verdicts in court, she looked down and closed her eyes briefly, but otherwise did not react.

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"Her remorse and her regret for the incident is overwhelming. She's not a danger to the public at all," Paul Engh, Potter's lawyer, said as he asked Chu to release her on bail pending sentencing.

Potter, however, will remain in jail until her sentence is handed down.&nbsp;

In a statement, Wright's family expressed relief that "some measure of accountability" had been established for "the senseless death of their son, brother, father, and friend."

"From the unnecessary and overreaching tragic traffic stop to the shooting that took his life, that day will remain a traumatic one for this family and yet another example for America of why we desperately need change in policing," they said.

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At a press conference, Wright's mother, Katie Wright, said she felt "every emotion you can imagine" as the verdict was read. Outside the court, supporters danced and played music after the verdict was announced.

Potter had pleaded not guilty and said the shooting was an accident, claiming that she had grabbed her firearm instead of her Taser stun gun.

During her emotional testimony, she described how a traffic stop that was supposed to be routine turned into "chaotic."

"I remember yelling 'Taser Taser Taser.' And nothing happens, then he told me I shot him," Potter said, bursting into tears.

The moments following were largely blank, she said.&nbsp;

"They have an ambulance for me and I don't know why. And then I went, then I was at the station. I don't remember a lot of things afterwards," she said.&nbsp;

Following Wright's death, protests and unrest erupted in Brooklyn Center for several nights before Potter's arrest quelled tensions.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Thursday, a former United States police officer was found guilty of manslaughter for fatally shooting a young African-American during a traffic stop, claiming that she mistook her weapon for a Taser.

On Thursday, a former United States police officer was found guilty of manslaughter for fatally shooting a young African-American during a traffic stop, claiming that she mistook her weapon for a Taser. Kim Potter, 49, was found guilty of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter for killing 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, earlier this year in April. Also read | Daunte Wright trial: Prosecutor says cop 'betrayed her badge', defence blames the slain victim It took place during the trial of white policeman Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on the neck of Black man George Floyd for around nine minutes in May 2020, asphyxiating him. Nationwide protests against police brutality and racism were sparked by Floyd's death. Potter is now facing up to 15 years in prison on the first charge and 10 years on the second charge, and her sentencing is expected to take place in February. While the judge read out the guilty verdicts in court, she looked down and closed her eyes briefly, but otherwise did not react. Also read | US police officer testifies at manslaughter trial for killing Daunte Wright "Her remorse and her regret for the incident is overwhelming. She's not a danger to the public at all," Paul Engh, Potter's lawyer, said as he asked Chu to release her on bail pending sentencing. Potter, however, will remain in jail until her sentence is handed down. In a statement, Wright's family expressed relief that "some measure of accountability" had been established for "the senseless death of their son, brother, father, and friend." "From the unnecessary and overreaching tragic traffic stop to the shooting that took his life, that day will remain a traumatic one for this family and yet another example for America of why we desperately need change in policing," they said. Also read | Brooklyn protests after Daunte Wright's brutal killing At a press conference, Wright's mother, Katie Wright, said she felt "every emotion you can imagine" as the verdict was read. Outside the court, supporters danced and played music after the verdict was announced. Potter had pleaded not guilty and said the shooting was an accident, claiming that she had grabbed her firearm instead of her Taser stun gun. During her emotional testimony, she described how a traffic stop that was supposed to be routine turned into "chaotic." "I remember yelling 'Taser Taser Taser.' And nothing happens, then he told me I shot him," Potter said, bursting into tears. The moments following were largely blank, she said. "They have an ambulance for me and I don't know why. And then I went, then I was at the station. I don't remember a lot of things afterwards," she said. Following Wright's death, protests and unrest erupted in Brooklyn Center for several nights before Potter's arrest quelled tensions. (With inputs from agencies)

Daunte Wright trial: White cop found guilty on manslaughter charges

The trial of a former US police officer who "accidentally" killed an African-American man during a routine traffic stop, took place on Wednesday.

Prosecutors charged that the white former police officer acted inconsistently with years of training by mistakenly using her pistol instead of her Taser, while the defence&nbsp;sought to blame the slain man for resisting arrest in a routine traffic stop.

Kim Potter, 49, is facing manslaughter charges for the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, this April.

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In her plea, Potter pleaded not guilty to charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter, which carry maximum sentences of 15 years and 10 years, respectively.&nbsp;

The former officer says that she mistakenly grabbed her gun instead of her Taser, an action that led to the death of the black man.&nbsp;

Wright, 20 was stopped by Potter and two of her colleagues because his car's registration was out of date.&nbsp;

They then came to know that Wright was already wanted for carrying a gun without a permit and had an arrest warrant out for him. Wright, who was unarmed, tried to flee as officers attempted to hold him on the outstanding warrant.

To stop him, Potter said she intended to draw her Taser, which is designed to stop a person with a strong electric shock. She shouted "Taser" as she fired, body camera footage shows.

Wright drove off, but soon came to a stop. Emergency workers ruled him dead at the scene from a gunshot wound.

Following the shooting, Potter resigned from the police department. She maintains that she had accidentally taken her gun out of its holster, instead of drawing her Taser which was on the other side.

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Potter's attorney, Paul Engh, called the shooting an accident and a mistake. In Engh's opinion, Wright created a volatile situation when he attempted to flee, adding that Potter had a duty to stop Wright.

"She made a mistake. This was an accident. She's a human being," said her attorney, Paul Engh.&nbsp;

"A surgeon perhaps after 1,000 surgeries might make a mistake, which can happen or diagnosis may be missed in the time of stress," Engh said.

"That's simply not the case," local prosecutor Erin Eldridge countered, rejecting Potter's defence.

"This case is about... the reckless handling of a firearm, and it's about the disregard of known risks," said Eldridge. &nbsp;

"It's about an officer who knew she could kill someone if she got it wrong, but she failed to make sure she got it right."

Watch |&nbsp;Daunte Wright Shooting: Protests continue in Minneapolis for second night

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The incident occurred just over 10 months after police killed another Black man in Minneapolis, George Floyd.

In response to Floyd's death, protests and riots broke out across the nation over racial abuse in law enforcement.

The death of Wright reignited tensions and led to new demonstrations in the northern city. These demonstrations calmed after Potter's arrest and after Floyd's convicted killer, Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

(With inputs from agencies)

The trial of a former US police officer who "accidentally" killed an African-American man during a routine traffic stop, took place on Wednesday. Prosecutors charged that the white former police officer acted inconsistently with years of training by mistakenly using her pistol instead of her Taser, while the defence sought to blame the slain man for resisting arrest in a routine traffic stop.

The trial of a former US police officer who "accidentally" killed an African-American man during a routine traffic stop, took place on Wednesday. Prosecutors charged that the white former police officer acted inconsistently with years of training by mistakenly using her pistol instead of her Taser, while the defence sought to blame the slain man for resisting arrest in a routine traffic stop. Kim Potter, 49, is facing manslaughter charges for the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, this April. Also read | Brooklyn protests after Daunte Wright's brutal killing In her plea, Potter pleaded not guilty to charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter, which carry maximum sentences of 15 years and 10 years, respectively. The former officer says that she mistakenly grabbed her gun instead of her Taser, an action that led to the death of the black man. Wright, 20 was stopped by Potter and two of her colleagues because his car's registration was out of date. They then came to know that Wright was already wanted for carrying a gun without a permit and had an arrest warrant out for him. Wright, who was unarmed, tried to flee as officers attempted to hold him on the outstanding warrant. To stop him, Potter said she intended to draw her Taser, which is designed to stop a person with a strong electric shock. She shouted "Taser" as she fired, body camera footage shows. Wright drove off, but soon came to a stop. Emergency workers ruled him dead at the scene from a gunshot wound. Following the shooting, Potter resigned from the police department. She maintains that she had accidentally taken her gun out of its holster, instead of drawing her Taser which was on the other side. Also read | Calls for US police reform at fresh protest over Daunte Wright killing Potter's attorney, Paul Engh, called the shooting an accident and a mistake. In Engh's opinion, Wright created a volatile situation when he attempted to flee, adding that Potter had a duty to stop Wright. "She made a mistake. This was an accident. She's a human being," said her attorney, Paul Engh. "A surgeon perhaps after 1,000 surgeries might make a mistake, which can happen or diagnosis may be missed in the time of stress," Engh said. "That's simply not the case," local prosecutor Erin Eldridge countered, rejecting Potter's defence. "This case is about... the reckless handling of a firearm, and it's about the disregard of known risks," said Eldridge. "It's about an officer who knew she could kill someone if she got it wrong, but she failed to make sure she got it right." Watch | Daunte Wright Shooting: Protests continue in Minneapolis for second night The incident occurred just over 10 months after police killed another Black man in Minneapolis, George Floyd. In response to Floyd's death, protests and riots broke out across the nation over racial abuse in law enforcement. The death of Wright reignited tensions and led to new demonstrations in the northern city. These demonstrations calmed after Potter's arrest and after Floyd's convicted killer, Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 years in prison. (With inputs from agencies)

Daunte Wright trial: Prosecutor says cop 'betrayed her badge', defence blames the slain victim

Two National Guardsmen suffered minor injuries when they were fired upon as they provided neighbourhood security in Minneapolis following the police killing of a 20-year-old Black man in a nearby suburb, authorities said.

The Minnesota Guard said the men were hurt when several shots came from a light-colored SUV around 4.19 am. One was treated at a hospital for an injury for shattered glass, and the other Guard member's injuries were described as superficial.

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Dozens were arrested after hundreds of protesters clashed with police outside Minnesota's Brooklyn Center police headquarters on Friday&nbsp;as the civil unrest around the death of a young Black motorist killed during a traffic stop carried into the sixth consecutive night.

Groups of demonstrators taunted sheriff's deputies lined up behind a chain-link fence in front of the building, throwing objects over the barrier. The officers, in turn, periodically approached the wall to douse those on the other side with tear gas and flashbangs.

Daunte&nbsp;Wright, 20, was pulled over on Sunday&nbsp;in Brooklyn Center, just outside Minneapolis, for what police said was an expired vehicle registration, then struggled with police and was shot to death by officer Kimberly Potter, 48, who drew her handgun instead of a Taser in what officials called an accident.

Potter was charged with second-degree manslaughter over the fatal shooting. Wright's family said that the charges against her fell short of justice for&nbsp;Daunte.

The shooting escalated tensions in a region already on edge over the ongoing trial of the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the use of deadly force last May against George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who was suspected of passing a fake $20 bill.

The Brooklyn Center police station has been the site of protests every night since.

Saturday's demonstration was more subdued than earlier in the week, when police used a riot line to clear the street several nights and used gas, flash-bang grenades and marking rounds on demonstrators, some of whom threw objects at police and tried to damage a fence.

Closing arguments are Monday in Chauvin's trial after three weeks of testimony.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two National Guardsmen suffered minor injuries when they were fired upon as they provided neighbourhood security in Minneapolis following the police killing of a 20-year-old Black man in a nearby suburb, authorities said.

Two National Guardsmen suffered minor injuries when they were fired upon as they provided neighbourhood security in Minneapolis following the police killing of a 20-year-old Black man in a nearby suburb, authorities said. The Minnesota Guard said the men were hurt when several shots came from a light-colored SUV around 4.19 am. One was treated at a hospital for an injury for shattered glass, and the other Guard member's injuries were described as superficial. Dozens were arrested after hundreds of protesters clashed with police outside Minnesota's Brooklyn Center police headquarters on Friday as the civil unrest around the death of a young Black motorist killed during a traffic stop carried into the sixth consecutive night. Groups of demonstrators taunted sheriff's deputies lined up behind a chain-link fence in front of the building, throwing objects over the barrier. The officers, in turn, periodically approached the wall to douse those on the other side with tear gas and flashbangs. Daunte Wright, 20, was pulled over on Sunday in Brooklyn Center, just outside Minneapolis, for what police said was an expired vehicle registration, then struggled with police and was shot to death by officer Kimberly Potter, 48, who drew her handgun instead of a Taser in what officials called an accident. Potter was charged with second-degree manslaughter over the fatal shooting. Wright's family said that the charges against her fell short of justice for Daunte. The shooting escalated tensions in a region already on edge over the ongoing trial of the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the use of deadly force last May against George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who was suspected of passing a fake $20 bill. The Brooklyn Center police station has been the site of protests every night since. Saturday's demonstration was more subdued than earlier in the week, when police used a riot line to clear the street several nights and used gas, flash-bang grenades and marking rounds on demonstrators, some of whom threw objects at police and tried to damage a fence. Closing arguments are Monday in Chauvin's trial after three weeks of testimony. (With inputs from agencies)

Shots fired at two National Guardsmen after protesters, police clash over Daunte Wright killing

The third night of protests comes after the officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright, a 20-year old Black man who struggled with police after a traffic stop, and the police chief both resigned.

Minnesota protests: Stun grenade, tear gas used to disperse demonstrators