Daunte Wright's neighbors were 'content' after Kim Potter killed him, here's why
Before being killed, Daunte Wright allegedly committed various crimes in his local neighborhood, terrorizing the people around. Court records and interviews obtained by the Daily Mail allegedly show that Wright led a life of violence until he died. He was involved in the shooting his school friend, and a home burglary. He had also reportedly assaulted and robbed a young woman at gunpoint.
"He's an evil human being. Worse than a monster, a waste of space on earth," Jennifer LeMay, whose son was shot by Wright, told the Daily Mail. LeMay's son Caleb, who is now 18, was left permanently disabled after Wright allegedly shot him in the head at a gas station a couple of years back. A lawsuit filed on behalf of her son in May 2020 states that Wright "discharged a firearm toward Caleb striking him with a single shot bulled in the heard causing serious disabling, and permanent injuries." Lemay said that she was told Wright confided in some of his friends, telling them that he just wanted to scare Caleb but the gun fired accidentally.
READ MORE
Who is Cortez Rice? Minnesota man arrested for harassing Kim Potter trial judge at home
Wright shot his friend in the head
"Daunte shot my son and left him to die," LeMay said. "During his hospital stay Caleb almost died six times because of his injuries." She said that Wright and her son were good friends at one point. "The younger Daunte I knew, I thought was a pretty good kid. I never saw any red flags," she said.
"The local police really didn't work that hard on my son's case. To the best of my knowledge they haven't spoken with anyone on the case since May 15, 2019," LeMay said. "Technically the case is still open, but they're never going to solve it."
LeMay said that when she heard about Wright's death, she was initially relieved. However, she began to feel angry when she realized that her son would never get justice. "I'm mad as hell that he died," she said. "I have mixed emotions about his death, part of me is content knowing he'll never be able to hurt someone again like he did to my son and others. But then the other part is furious. When Kim Potter killed him, she took away any possibly for him to be held criminal accountable for what he did. Now there will never be justice for my child, my son doesn't deserve this type of life."
LeMay feels disappointed when Wright is hailed a hero. "He's no George Floyd. I knew him and interacted with him on occasion," she said. "George was a gentleman, he didn't assault anyone, he didn't shoot anyone. For all those people who want to believe that Daunte was this saint, I ask them to come walk in my or my son's shoes for 24 hours and experience the repercussions of his criminal behavior. I just thank God that Daunte didn't do to their child what he did to mine."
Wright assaulted a woman
Some months after Wright died, another woman identified only as 'C.V.,' (crime victim), reportedly sued his estate on November 29, for assault and battery, sexual assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She described how one night in 2019, she and her roommate were hanging out in their apartment in Osseo, Minnesota. They invited a friend, Emajay Driver, over via Snapchat. Driver brought his friend, Daunte Wright, over to their place.
The two of them later robbed and assaulted CV and her friend at gunpoint. "I asked him if taking my life over $800 is worth going to prison for the rest of your life?" CV said. "After I said that, he put the gun down to his side and with his other hand began to choke me for about 10 seconds. I dropped to the floor on my knees to try to break free. I was screaming at him, stop, stop, hoping my neighbors would hear something." CV said that when Wright realized that she had money kept in her bra, he "grabbed my shirt and started to pull it apart, in my bra area trying to rip it off me to get to the money." Wright and his friend later escaped. "I still have nightmares, even though he's dead. I attend therapy for PTSD," CV said.
Wright broke into a house
Another victim of Wright was identified as Julian Manjo, whose house Wright had once broken into. Manjo claimed that his son and Wright previously played basketball together. "I treated Daunte like a son when he came over. There were occasions when Wright would come home with Manjo and spend time in their house," Manjo said. "Daunte would come to our house after a basketball game or practice and wait until his parents would come get him." When Manjo saw him break into his house one night, he grabbed a kitchen knife and confronted Wright. Manjo said that "Daunte ran back into the bathroom slamming the door shut behind and crawled back out of the bathroom window." Manjo then ran up to Wright, who was casually walking away and confronted him. "I caught up with him and told him, I know who you are and I'm reporting you to the police. He didn't say a word he just ran down the alley after that," Manjo said. Following the incident, Wright was charged with felony 1st-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling.
The Daily Mail obtained a mental health assessment order, which stated that he had exhibited anxiety symptoms, disruptive behavior disorder including lying, stealing aggression, academic issue and they recommended he get correctional placement considerations. Wright later missed several court dates and warrants. He pleaded guilty to a trespassing charge and spent time in a juvenile facility. He was ordered to get family functional therapy.
Kim Potter verdict
Former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter, who fatally shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop, was found guilty of first- and second-degree manslaughter on Thursday, December 23. Potter seemed to show no emotion while the verdicts were read. She will be held without bail.
Wright, a biracial man who identified as Black, was shot dead by Potter on April 11, 2021, during a traffic stop. The incident took place during an attempted arrest for an outstanding arrest warrant in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Police later said that Potter meant to use her taser, but used her gun accidentally instead, shooting Wright in the chest. Potter was subsequently arrested on April 14, charged with second-degree manslaughter, and booked into the Hennepin County Jail. She was later released on $100,000 bail. Back then, the shooting prompted widespread protests across Brooklyn Center.
Kim Potter's sentencing is scheduled to take place on February 18, 2022. Attorneys on both sides will now be given time to prepare their arguments in favor of the sentence they wish to see Potter get. A probation officer also will conduct what is called a pre-sentence investigation. Information that could be relevant at the sentencing will now be gathered, including about Potter’s life and history. Potter will remain in custody and will be held without bail.