Opening statements were presented this week in the trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter. Potter, who is white, is charged with first- and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man. 

Potter shot and killed Wright during a traffic stop. Potter’s defense says that she meant to use her Taser on Wright but that she grabbed her handgun instead.

Wright’s killing set off days of protests in Brooklyn Center, with demonstrators saying Wright’s killing was an example of police bias against Black people.

Also this week, Minneapolis police Chief Medaria Arradondo said he will not seek a new term and will retire from the department next month. St. Paul’s police Chief Todd Axtell has also said he plans to step down after his term expires next year.  

MPR News host Angela Davis discusses this week’s public safety news and what it means for the future of policing and police reform in Minnesota. 

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