A former supervisor testified Friday in Kim Potter's manslaughter trial that the then-officer had the right to use deadly force to prevent Daunte Wright from driving away and harming him in the process.
amp.cnn.com
In cross-examination, Johnson agreed that Potter had a right to use deadly force to prevent death or bodily harm, which he could have suffered if Wright had taken off with Johnson still inside the vehicle.
"So basically, based on these videos and the conduct of Daunte Wright, as far as you're concerned -- and you were there -- Kimberly Potter would have had a right to use a firearm, right?" defense attorney Earl Gray asked.
"Yes," Johnson answered.
Gray asked Johnson what would have happened to him if Wright had taken off with him still in the car.
"Probably dragged," Johnson answered.
"Dragged and what," Gray asked.
"Injured."
"Seriously injured, maybe even dead, right?" Gray said.
Johnson agreed.
"And if that were the case, when an officer in your position with Officer Potter trying to stop him from resisting with you and resisting Luckey, would it be fair for that officer to use a firearm to stop him?" Gray asked.
"By state statute, yes," Johnson replied.