Former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter has been released from prison after serving 16 months of a two-year sentence for the manslaughter of Daunte Wright, as reported by multiple sources including CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/07/us/kim-potter-released-from-prison-daunte-wright-shooting/index.html) and USA Today (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/11/07/kim-potter-released-from-prison/10603820002/). Potter’s case gained national attention after she mistakenly pulled out her gun instead of her Taser during a traffic stop and fatally shot Wright in April 2021, while Derek Chauvin was on trial for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Potter was convicted of manslaughter in December 2021 and sentenced to two years in prison in March 2022. According to ABC News (https://abcnews.go.com/US/kim-potter-officer-convicted-killing-daunte-wright-released/story?id=91453798), Potter was released early for good behavior, following Minnesota law that allows for early release for good conduct during a prison sentence.
Potter’s case sparked protests and renewed calls for police reform, as communities demanded accountability and justice for Wright’s death. As reported by NBC News (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kim-potter-minnesota-officer-who-fatally-shot-daunte-wright-released-rcna55515), the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office named Potter as the officer who shot Wright, and her resignation from the Brooklyn Center Police Department was announced in April 2021.
Potter’s release from prison has brought her case back into the spotlight, reigniting discussions about the use of force by law enforcement and the role of accountability within the justice system. The case also serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of police shootings on families and communities affected by these incidents.
