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Before Kim Potter was sentenced to two years in prison for the manslaughter of Daunte Wright on Friday, his mother had harsh words for the former police officer in court.
Katie Wright testified at the sentencing hearing and accused Potter of not respecting her son. She claimed the former officer never referred to her son by his name during her trial, only referring to him as "the driver." In response, Wright only called Potter "the defendant" in her testimony.
"She never once said his name," she said, "and for that, I'll never be able to forgive you. And I'll never be able to forgive you for what you've stolen from us."
Wright tearfully claimed that Potter never even looked at her or the rest of their family during the trial. She vowed to continue seeking justice for her son's death.
"A police officer who was supposed to serve and protect so much took so much away from us," she said. "My life and my world will never ever be the same again. Daunte Demetrius Wright, I will continue to fight in your name until driving while Black is no longer a death sentence."
Before the final sentence was delivered, Potter gave an apology to the Wright family. This time, she directly referred to Daunte Wright by name.
"To the family of Daunte Wright," Potter began through tears, "I am so sorry that I brought the death of your son, father, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, and the rest of your family to your home."
Potter said that she has prayed for and thinks about Duante Wright several times a day since his shooting death in 2021. She also brought up his mother's previous accusation, explaining that she didn't think she had the right to look at the family.
"Earlier when you said that I didn't look at you during the trial, I don't believe I had the right to," Potter explained. "I didn't believe I had the right to be in the same room as you. I am so sorry that I hurt you so badly. My heart is broken, devastated for all of you."
After the sentencing, Wright told reporters she was unhappy with the decision made by Judge Regina Chu. The judge gave Potter a two-year sentence, two-thirds of which must be served in prison. She was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
"She murdered my son," Wright said. "Today, the justice system murdered him all over again."
Update at 02/18/2022, 1:22 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with quotes from Katie Wright and Kim Potter.
