Daunte Wright , CD3 DFL

Minnesota AG’s office to prosecute case in Wright’s death

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Friday that his office will lead the prosecution of a former suburban police officer who is charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright.

Former Brooklyn Center Officer Kim Potter, who is white, fatally shot Wright, a 20-year-old Black motorist, on April 11. The city’s police chief, who has since stepped down, had said he believed Potter meant to use her Taser instead of her handgun.

“Daunte Wright’s death was a tragedy. He should not have died on the day that he did. He should not have died the way that he did,” Ellison said in a statement. Continue reading.

Trial of ex-police officer who fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright may proceed, judge rules

Kimberly A. Potter, the former Minnesota police officer who was charged with manslaughter for fatally shooting 20-year-old Daunte Wright, is set to stand trial at the end of the year, a Minneapolis judge ruled Monday.

Hennepin County Judge Regina M. Chu said during a virtual omnibus hearing Monday that she found probable cause to support the charge against Potter and set a tentative trial date for Dec. 6.

After a brief delay over technical difficulties, Chu started the hearing by offering condolences to Wright’s family members, who were in virtual attendance. Special Assistant Hennepin County Prosecutor Imran Ali raised concerns about the trial’s start date, citing the amount of discovery and witness selection the state has ahead of it, but Chu signaled she would try to hold to the early December date. Continue reading.

Senate Majority Leader Gazelka Under Fire For Refusing To Hold Hearings On Police Reform

Following the death of Daunte Wright, Senate Majority Leader Gazelka committed to holding hearings on police reform proposals then he changed his mind.

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Following the death of Daunte Wright, who was fatally shot by a police officer in Brooklyn Center, it was widely reported that Senate Majority Leader Gazelka was “committed to having hearings” on police reform. On Friday, Gazelka walked back this commitment, refusing to hold hearings on meaningful reform, instead, standing in the way of progress while Black Minnesotans suffer tragic outcomes at the hands of police officers.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are pushing for a bill that would impose harsher penalties against people arrested while protesting, make them ineligible for food stamps, and subject to loss of student financial aid and other government benefits.

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: April 23, 2021

This week, the entire world watched as Minnesota awaited the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, while mourning the death of Daunte Wright at the hands of law enforcement.

While the trial of Derek Chauvin ended in justice for George Floyd in the courtroom, we know that full justice won’t be achieved until all Minnesotans feel safe and the relationship between law enforcement and our communities heals.

The Governor will continue to work to pass police reform legislation in our state.

Rep. Dean Phillips (CD3): Difficult Truths

Hi Neighbors,

This week our community experienced more heartbreak, said more prayers, and saw more carnage. As we continue to grapple with the killing of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center and await a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, I believe I speak for most Americans when I say injustice must be protested, journalists, and the First Amendment must be protected, and encouraging violent confrontation must be rejected.

Let me be clear – Racial injustice is real. Protesting injustice is lawful and warranted. Criminal looting and burning destroys our communities and small businesses is wrong. We can believe all of these things at once, and I’m on a mission help our community confront difficult truths and do better together. Will you join me?

Mohamed Noor case raises questions about charge for Brooklyn Center officer

Question of intent is key in debate over murder vs. manslaughter

Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter made her first court appearance Thursday in the killing of Daunte Wright, facing one count of second-degree manslaughter.

Potter, wearing a plaid shirt at her hearing and seated at a conference table in attorney Earl Gray’s office, spoke only once to confirm that she could hear the judge.

When asked if court documents accurately gave Potter’s home address in Champlin, Gray responded: “Yes, unfortunately.” Potter’s family has moved out of the house, according to Champlin Police Chief Ty Schmidt, who said he plans to keep a round-the-clock police presence there. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: April 16, 2021

A Message on Daunte Wright

The Governor and First Lady are praying for Daunte Wright’s family and loved ones as Minnesota mourns another life of a Black man taken by law enforcement. The death of Daunte Wright is a tragedy. He was a young man, a father, a friend, and a son. We must take meaningful action to fight systemic injustice, pursue bold police accountability reforms, and make lasting change.

In these challenging times, the Governor’s duty is to preserve the First Amendment right of peaceful protests while protecting public safety. We must ensure communities have the space they deserve to grieve and call for change.

Officer Kim Potter to be charged with manslaughter in Daunte Wright’s death

Kim Potter, the former police officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright outside Minneapolis on Sunday, will be charged with second-degree manslaughter, Washington County Attorney Pete Orput told the Star Tribune Wednesday.

Why it matters: The shooting of the 20-year-old Black man in Brooklyn Center, Minn., just ten miles from where George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer last year, has reinvigorated Black Lives Matter protests and led to three consecutive nights of unrest.

Context: Second-degree manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, according to Minnesota law. Continue reading.

Legislature’s POCI Caucus and UBLC Condemn Police Shooting of Daunte Wright, Outline Police Accountability Bills

Saint Paul, MINNESOTA – Today, members of the Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus and United Black Legislative Caucus (UBLC) discussed the police shooting of Daunte Wright and actions DFL legislators are proposing to improve accountability for law enforcement, including:

allowing local governments to establish civilian oversight councils
banning the alteration, erasure, or destruction of body-worn camera recordings and withholding footage
prohibiting peace officers from affiliating with white supremacist groups
providing funding for community organizations working to prevent crime

“We are once again dealing with the trauma of the killing of a Black man by police. It feels like we are taking one step forward, and two steps back,” said Rep. Vang, Chair of the POCI Caucus (DFL – Brooklyn Center). “My city is hurting to see a beloved member of our community killed so recklessly as we are left with an occupied city that is damaged nearly beyond recognition. We cannot keep doing the same things and expect a different result, we must do better to ensure justice for victims and peace for our future.”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: April 12, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Once again, our community is in a state of shock at the death of an unarmed black man in an encounter with law enforcement. Daunte Wright should be alive today, but instead his life was cut tragically short in a matter of seconds. My condolences and heart goes out to his family, his friends, and our entire community as we grieve over his death.

It has not even been a full year since the murder of George Floyd, and with the eyes of the world on Minnesota, another black man has been killed by a system that is not working. It is up to each of us to play a role in taking the steps necessary to achieve true accountability and reform, and to ensure that justice comes.

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A Message on Daunte Wright

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