Accountability for Daunte Wright, But Let's Not Forget the Context

Two days before Christmas Day 2021, former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kimberly Potter was found guilty of first- and second-degree manslaughter in her role in the killing of Daunte Wright.

This is the second time I have been wrong about a cop being held accountable for their actions.

Despite the jury making a just decision, it is important to remember that regardless of whether Potter meant to kill Daunte, his seat was still empty at the Wright family Christmas table.

What Happens Next

Because of the way Minnesota law is set up, offenders convicted of multiple crimes based on the same facts are sentenced only on the most serious charge of which they are convicted.

In this case, the most serious charge that Potter is facing is first-degree manslaughter; ergo, it is what she will be sentenced for. If any of you are curious about what constitutes first-degree vs. second-degree manslaughter, click here for a quick read.

Kimberly Potter is scheduled to be sentenced on February 18, 2022.

The trial for Chauvin’s accomplices in the murder of George Floyd—Alex Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao—will begin on March 8, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. All three are facing charges of aiding and abetting both second- and third-degree murder.

I honestly don’t know what the outcome will be.

A Word on Fairness

I have seen some people complain about the fact that Kyle Rittenhouse gets to walk while Potter is facing years behind bars.

The trial of Rittenhouse was a farce in every sense of the word. It’s obvious that he went into Kenosha with an intent to kill.

That being said, Potter’s actions endangered her colleagues (one of the bullet shells hit a sergeant in the face) and killed Daunte Wright.

Operating rides was my first job ever, a position where safety was the paramount concern. If I had been so careless as to get someone killed while operating a ride, the only just thing would have been to hold me accountable for said person’s death.

Potter’s actions on April 11, 2021, were so much worse. She was an officer with twenty-six years of experience who trained other police officers (that’s more than mildly terrifying). Firearm safety is something she is supposed to know like the back of her hand.

Potter deserves prison time for her actions.

One can even make a reasonable argument that she meant to kill Daunte. However, I am not certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that she did—more like 60 percent sure.

The Larger Point

Being Black in America should not carry a possible death sentence for activities or situations that would leave me inconvenienced most of the time, such as jogging or driving to a car wash.

Alas, it still does in way too many situations.

There must be a better way than racial profiling to identify and neutralize threats to public safety.

Daunte was a Black man five years younger than me killed during the trial of Derek Chauvin, a White former police officer for the murder of George Floyd, a middle-aged Black man. That context makes all the difference.

Anyone looking to help Daunte’s family, especially his two-year-old son, click here to donate.

I hope the Wright family is doing better.

They have been through too much already.