BRUCE BISPING ¥ [email protected] Brooklyn Center, MN., Thursday, 5/31/2007. Officer Kim Potter is part of the Brooklyn Center Police negotiation group. (Photo by Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune via Getty Images
Star Tribune via Getty Images
Kim Potter, a former Minnesota officer of police offered her emotional testimony for her defense. Following a traffic stop, Potter, 49, is being tried for fatally shooting Wright, 20 years. After a traffic stop, she claimed she mistook her Taser for a gun. She was then charged with first-degree and second-degree murder. She must be proven guilty by prosecutors of recklessness or culpable negligence in order for her to be convicted.
“I remember yelling ‘Taser! Taser! Taser!’ And nothing ever happened. Potter stated that he then told him that he had shot Potter. Potter added, “I’m so sorry this happened.” We are so sorry. I did not want to inflict any pain.”
Potter’s attorneys have argued that the use of force – including even deadly force – was justified, claiming that Wright had endangered Potter’s fellow officers when he attempted to flee from the arrest. Although some question her mixing up the Taser with her sidearm, it is clear that she has never used either of them in this situation throughout her 26-year career.
Reactions on Social Media
While she was giving evidence, social media comments started to trend. Some wondered how the veteran officer mistakenly used her handgun as a Taser. Others suggested that the shooting of Wright is further proof that reforms are needed in police.
Kim Potter’s story is an excellent example of why it’s necessary to end police. We don’t need armed individuals who roam streets & kill ppl for no reason. That is already the case among civil population. If cops are trigger happy b/c they’re scared, they aren’t doing anything above the avg person,” wrote activist Bree Newsome Bass (@BreeNewsome).
Others shared their opinions on social media, claiming that her emotion during testimony was similar to “crocodile crying” and she was just trying to gain favor from the jury.
Chuck Modi (@ChudkModi1) posted the tweet, “Kim Potter using White Tears Defense Strategy.”
Many memes attempted to portray a similar story, but it is worth asking if such commentary or mockery are constructive given this serious case. Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV), a columnist for the political blog, noted that these reactions are almost normal and said, “Cue Kim Potter/Kyle Rittenhouse “white tears” comparisons on this platform.”
It was expected, as with many high-profile cases in the past, that strong responses would occur on Twitter and other social media platforms.
As long as the comments don’t impact on any jury, social media users are free to post what they wish. “Social media can be instantaneous so comments like this show that people pay attention to the news,” stated Daniel K. Maxwell MPA, an acclaimed lecturer at the University of New Haven’s Criminal Justice Department.
Maxwell stated, “We are unable to get in her head. So we don’t really know how she truly feels.”
It is noteworthy that responses to this case and other cases, such as the Kyle Rittenhouse trials last month, were not in black and white. However, Maxwell told me Friday via phone that this was also common.
What happens when people post on social media? They look at facts to support their positions. Even if people have an unbalanced view, I believe it’s healthy for them to comment.
Maxwell stated that such cases were yet another issue that divides people on social media.
His problem was that “this isn’t like in an classroom or discussion forum where you must defend your position.” It allows people to go in the direction that they believe supports their case, without having to follow up. Many of the people who weigh in don’t have any education on this subject. People comment on topics they don’t really know much about using social media.
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