US ex-police officer jailed for gun mix-up shooting

Image source, Getty Images

A veteran former Minnesota police officer has been sentenced to two years in prison over the fatal shooting of a black motorist last April.

In December, a jury convicted Kim Potter, 49, of manslaughter after she killed Daunte Wright, 20, during a traffic stop.

She will spend 16 months behind bars and serve the rest of her sentence under supervised release.

Potter had mistakenly drawn her gun instead of her Taser.

Ahead of her sentencing, members of the Wright family had called for her to face the maximum possible sentence.

Katie Wright said Potter had never once said her son's name during the trial.

"She referred to Daunte over and over again as 'the driver' as if killing him wasn't enough to dehumanise him," she said through tears.

"For that, I will never be able to forgive you."

A tearful Potter addressed the Wright family - at first turning to directly face them - prior to her sentencing at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.

"You said that I didn't look at you during the trial. I don't believe I had a right to," she said.

"I didn't even have a right to be in the same room with you. I am so sorry that I hurt you so badly and my heart is devastated for all of you."