The manslaughter charges do not require prosecutors to prove that Potter intended to kill Wright.
Potter testified that, prior to the day she shot Wright, she never deployed her Taser or firearm while on duty but that she drew her Taser "maybe a few times." She testified she received annual training on Tasers and was informed about the dangers of weapons confusion, though she said it was not "expounded on" in training.
Potter said she was overseeing a trainee officer when he decided to pull Wright's vehicle over and she "most likely" would not have pulled the car over herself.
When the officers discovered Wright had a warrant for arrest on a weapons violation and an order for protection against him, Potter said she became concerned there could be a weapon in the vehicle. Potter testified she was compelled by law to arrest Wright and to find out if the woman in the passenger seat had the order of protection.
Potter initially testified she did not recall if Wright's vehicle was running during the arrest. She later testified that she previously stated the car had been running. Potter also testified she never communicated what had happened to officers who responded to the scene of the car crash.
"I was very distraught. I’d just shot somebody. I’d never done that," Potter said, crying.
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