Community activists, civil rights attorney say manslaughter charge for former Brooklyn Center officer ‘not enough’

After Washington County Attorney Pete Orput filed a second-degree manslaughter charge against former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter, some community activists and a civil rights attorney criticized the decision.

Potter is charged in the death of Daunte Wright. Potter shot and killed the 20-year-old Wright during a traffic stop Sunday in Brooklyn Center.

Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy-Armstrong said the manslaughter charge was not enough. She believes there is sufficient evidence to charge Potter with murder.

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"From my perspective, this shows a reckless disregard for Black life, it shows anti-blackness and white supremacy," Levy-Armstrong said. "Potter needs to be held accountable under the law, and I believe she should be charged with second or third-degree murder."

Union organizer and Minneapolis City Council candidate Robin Wonsley said the manslaughter charge did not fit the crime and needs to be upgraded to send a stronger message.

"Create higher charges and set a mandate that any peace officer that comes into our community will not execute us," Wonsley said. "You will not be the jury and you will not be the executioner over our lives."

The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association said it had no comment about the manslaughter charge.

Potter’s attorney, Earl Gray, also declined comment.