Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice

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By: Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice

Right now: Covering the trial of Kim Potter accused of killing Daunte Wright, the community’s reaction, and exploring the changes needed to create a more just society. Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice is a journalism initiative from Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, KMOJ Radio, and the Minnesota Humanities Center covering the trials of the officers accused of killing George Floyd, the community’s reaction, and exploring the changes needed to create a more just society.

Voices of Change: Reflections on the Racial Reckoning Journalism Project
05/10/2022

What happens when you bring together a group of young women of color to cover one of the most racially charged trials in our country’s history? Really. Good. Journalism. In this special, we’re looking back at Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice, a journalism project of KMOJ Radio in Minneapolis, Ampers Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities and the Minnesota Humanities Center. You’ll meet the young reporters who made the project a success and hear their thoughts on the future of journalism.

 

In May of 2020 the horrifying video of Minneapolis police officer Derek Cha...


Potter Found Guilty in Death of Daunte Wright
#213
12/24/2021

After three days of deliberation a jury found former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter guilty of two counts of manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright. 

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Feven Gerezgiher reports:


After three days of deliberation, on Thursday a jury found former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter guilty of two counts of manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright. 


Judge Chu rejected the defense’s request to allow Potter home for the holidays while she awaits sentencing. 


Minnesota Attorney Gener...


Potter Jury Continues Deliberations
#212
12/23/2021

As jury deliberation continues in the Kim Potter trial, many are evaluating the state of racial justice in Minnesota. We talk to former Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Mary Moriarty. 

Chioma Uwagwu reports:


As jury deliberation continues in the Kim Potter trial, many are evaluating the state of racial justice in Minnesota. Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter is charged with two counts of manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright during a traffic stop. Potter says she mistakenly drew her gun instead of her taser.


F...


Kim Potters' Tears
#211
12/22/2021

Kim Potter's crying in court is more than an expression of remorse; it’s part of a history of white women weaponizing their tears against people of color.

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Tiffany Bui reports:


The jury in the trial of Kim Potter is deciding whether she is guilty of manslaughter for killing Daunte Wright. The 12 jurors have spent over 14 hours in deliberations. Late Wednesday afternoon, the jury asked the judge what happens if they can’t come to conesus.  


On Friday, Potter took the stand as a witne...


Jury Deliberations Underway in Potter Trial
#210
12/21/2021

The state's prosecution and the defense made their closing arguments Monday.

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I’m Georgia Fort with the latest on the Kim Potter trial


A jury is deliberating the verdict in the Kim Potter trial. Closing arguments concluded Monday afternoon and the State rested its case.


Civil rights attorney Ben Crump addressed the media as deliberations got underway, calling for Potter to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.


“The case was made. The evidence is there. The...


Potter Testimony Shows Remorse, Memory Loss
#209
12/20/2021

Potter said she did not intend to use deadly force against Duante Wright. She stated she didn’t recall saying “I’m going to go to prison” immediately after the shooting. 

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Safiya Mohamed reports:  


Former Police Officer Kim Potter took the stand on Friday in her own defense. 

During her testimony, Potter repeatedly broke down and expressed remorse for her actions.


“I’m sorry it happened. I’m so sorry,” she cried.  


Through tears, Potter admitted that she did not intend t...


Potter Trial Turns to Defense
#208
12/17/2021

The state rested its case Thursday; the defense called on six witnesses. 

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Feven Gerezgiher reports:


The state rested its case in the trial of former Brooklyn Center officer Kim Potter on Thursday. The defense proceeded to present its first 6 witnesses.


Former police chief Timothy Gannon testified that Potter was justified in her use of force.


“When I viewed both camera angles and had all the data in front of me, I saw no violation,” said Gannon.

“Violation of what...


Potter Trial Continues, Chauvin Pleads Guilty in Two Cases
#207
12/16/2021

Police use of force expert Seth Stoughton testified that even Potter’s use of a taser on Daunte Wright would have been unreasonable. Wright's father also took the stand. 

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Tiffany Bui reports:


Former police officer Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to violating George Floyd’s constitutional rights in federal court on Wednesday.


In a separate case, he also pleaded guilty to willfully depriving a 14-year-old boy of his right to be free from unreasonable force by a police officer. In 2017, Chauvin allegedly held him by the t...


Kim Potter Trial: Prosecution Doubles Down on Tasers and Training
#206
12/15/2021

When asked if he was aware of another officer mistaking their gun for their taser, expert witness Sgt. Mike Peterson said he was not. Other testimony revealed that Potter did not test her taser as required by her department the  day she fatally shot Daunte Wright, and that the position of her duty belt was also under question. 

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Georgia Fort reports: 


A taser spark test in court Tuesday showed jurors in the Kim Potter trial the process that Brooklyn Center officers are required to go through daily to ensure the...


$50 million to go to Black communities in Minnesota, the Dakotas
#205
12/14/2021

The Bush Foundation has selected Saint Paul-based Nexus Community Partners to redistribute $50 million to Black residents across Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The funds will focus on building entrepreneurship, homeownership, and education.

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Feven Gerezgiher reports:


Former officer Derek Chauvin has requested to change his plea of innocence in his federal civil rights case in the death of George Floyd.


Meanwhile in the trial of former Brooklyn Center officer Kim Potter, a jury heard testimony Monday from a medical examiner and forensic scientists that...