A Brooklyn Center sergeant in charge of training officers on how to use their Tasers said he’d never heard of an officer mistaking one for a handgun, Insider reported.  

Sgt. Mike Peterson, who was a use-of-force instructor for the police department, was called to the stand by prosecutors in the Kim Potter criminal trial.  

Potter, an ex-cop with 25 years, said she accidentally shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright in April 2021 during a traffic stop. She claims that she thought she grabbed her Taser. Potter is being charged with first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter. 

Minnesota prosecutors asked Peterson if in the 16 years since he’s worked for the department he’s ever seen this kind of mix-up, according to Insider.  

RELATED: Jury Selection Begins in Trial for Officer Who Shot Daunte Wright   

“In all the years that you’ve been working at the Brooklyn Center Police Department,” Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank asked Peterson, “Have you been aware of any other officers who have drawn their handgun when they meant to draw their Taser?” 

“I don’t,” Peterson responded. He later added that cops are taught not to use Tasers on people operating a vehicle, which Wright was in the process of doing.   

If convicted, Potter faces more than seven years in prison for the first-degree manslaughter charge and four years for the second-degree manslaughter charge. 

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