Jurors in Potter trial will be asked about experience with policing, demonstrations, BLM

The questionnaire that will be filled out by prospective jurors in the Kim Potter trial was made public on Tuesday.

Over the course of 81 questions, potential jurors will disclose details from their personal background as well as information specific to the trial, such as their opinions on the police, firearms and demonstrations in the Twin Cities.

Potter, a former Brooklyn Center police officer, faces charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter after she shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright, a Black man, during a traffic stop on April 11. Body-worn camera footage shows her yelling, "Taser! Taser! Taser!" before firing her handgun at Wright.

The prompts include a battery of questions about interactions with police, such as whether prospective jurors have regular contact with law enforcement as part of their jobs or have ever been arrested for a crime. Jurors will also be asked whether they agree with statements like "I support defunding the police," "Police in this country treat white people and black people equally" and "People today do not give our law enforcement officers the respect they deserve."

The questionnaire delves into jurors’ experiences with firearms and "tasers", including whether they own or have training handling either.

Jurors will also be asked to report if they or someone close to them has been involved in protests related to policing over the past two years, or whether they suffered any injuries or property damage during those demonstrations. The questionnaire also asks the jurors’ opinions on the Black Lives Matter and "blue lives matter" movements.

Like most juror questionnaires, the form inquires about media consumption habits. The jurors in the Potter trial will all be asked how many times they watched video of Wright’s death and whether they have formed an impression of either Wright or Potter.

According to the questionnaire, jury selection is scheduled from Nov. 30 to Dec. 7. The trial is then slated to begin on Dec. 8 and will last for approximately two weeks.

In a ruling last week, Hennepin County District Judge Regina Chu, who is presiding over the case, authorized live audio-visual coverage of the proceedings, but cameras will not be allowed to show the jurors during selection or the trial itself. However, their voices will be recorded during jury selection.

To see the full jury questionnaire, click here or read the document below.