Former Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was not justified in shooting Daunte Wright during a traffic stop that resulted in his death in April, per CNN. 

University of South Carolina law professor Seth Stoughton testified during Potter’s trial on Wednesday, saying the use of deadly force was inappropriate and a “reasonable officer” would not have believed otherwise. 

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“The available evidence leads me to conclude that a reasonable officer in Officer Potter’s position would not have concluded that there was an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm and thus, that the use of deadly force was excessive, that is disproportionate to the threat presented,” Stoughton said, per CNN. 

Even if a threat of death or serious bodily harm was imminent, he said, using deadly force would have been wrong because of “the danger that it created to the other two officers and the passenger in Mr. Wright’s vehicle.” 

Prosecutors claim Potter was negligent and reckless when she mistook her gun for a Taser, per CNN, but her defense argues she was “within her rights” to use deadly force to protect another officer. 

Potter claimed she “grabbed the wrong f—ing gun” and killed Wright as she reached for her Taser back in April, though the former officer was reportedly thoroughly trained in department procedures regarding use of force.  

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The incident took place roughly 13 miles from where George Floyd was killed by former police officer Derek Chauvin in May of 2020. Potter has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges in the first and second degree. 

While Potter is charged with manslaughter, the assistant medical examiner for Hennepin County, Dr. Lorren Jackson, testified that Wright’s death was a homicide caused by a single bullet to the chest. 

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by shootings involving police officers, resources are available here.