"One unfortunate, or accidental moment, and many lives changed. One life ended. There will be not winners in this trial. Only losers. Even if Kim Potter is found not guilty of first or second degree manslaughter, she will still have to live with what happened for the rest of her life."
There is a saying in the world of business, all it takes is one "ah s**t" to wipe out a bunch of "atta boys". I have been thinking about that old saying, during the trial of former officer Kim Potter. Was she a dirtbag of a person? I think not. Was she a problem officer, in her 26 years with the Brooklyn Center Police Department? No, she had a good record. Was she "trigger happy"? No, her record does not show that. Then what the heck happened, which caused her to take someone's life that day?
I have thought since that day, since it happened It was all just a horrible mistake. A mistake due to a set of circumstances, which unfolded almost at light speed. I am not going to blame the victim - that would serve no purpose. But the fact remains, if Daunte Wright had simply obeyed the police officers, gotten out of his car, and DID NOT try to flee, chances are he would still be alive today, and this trial would not be happening.
Then for correct justice to be served, what should the outcome be? Should Kim Potter be sent to prison for years because of one awful moment? She has already resigned from a 26 year career (which she loved), and probably will never again be hired in any type of law enforcement. She is also very remorseful at what happened. If she could take that dreadful moment back, she would do it in a heartbeat.
One legal expert who testified, did bring up an interesting point. Since Officer Lucky was half in and half out of the car when Daunte Wright tried to flee, this legal expert said the use of deadly force would have been authorized to stop the car before harm came to Officer Lucky. Even though Officer Potter wanted to use her Taser, any way to stop this car might have been appropriate (according to one legal expert). Other legal experts who testified, did not share that same view.
In any event, this trial should wrap up before Christmas. One unfortunate, or accidental moment, and many lives changed. One life ended. There will be not winners in this trial. Only losers. Even if Kim Potter is found not guilty of first or second degree manslaughter, she will still have to live with what happened for the rest of her life.
This entire trial makes me sad. I am sad for Daunte Wright's family. They lost a son in the blink of an eye. I am sorry for Kim Potter's family also. They have seen this good police officer for over a quarter of a century, instantly become a pariah in the community in which she served. And I feel sorry for Kim Potter. There is nothing our justice system can do to her, to make her feel worse than she does right now.
Like I said, no winners in this trial, only a huge loss. A huge loss, and many damaged people.
No comments:
Post a Comment