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The trial of former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter continued Thursday (December 9) following an emotional first day of testimony in the proceedings.
Alayna Albrecht-Payton, Daunte Wright's girlfriend who was riding in the car with him in April, took the stand, telling the court he was "just gasping" after being shot by Potter.
"I remember hearing the boom, the bang of the gun," she told the court, adding that she scrambled to render aid to the 20-year-old –– reaching for a towel or sweater in the car as he bled to death, The Associated Press reported.
Albrecht-Payton apologized to Wright's mother, Katie Bryant, from the stand for showing his mother her son's final moments through a FaceTime call.
On Wednesday (December 8), Bryant testified that Daunte was headed to get a car wash when he was pulled over by Potter and another officer over an air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror.
Potter maintains that she meant to grab her taser but instead grabbed her gun, opening fire on the young father during the traffic stop.
Albrecht-Payton testified that she and Daunte had just started dating and said her boyfriend was noticeably scared when they got pulled over.
In their opening statements, Potter's defense attorneys admitted the 26-year Brooklyn Center police veteran made a mistake but blamed Daunte for his death because he allegedly attempting to flee.
Potter faces first- and second- degree manslaughter charges and more than seven years if convicted.
Reading about Black trauma can have an impact on your mental health. If you or someone you know need immediate mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. These additional resources are also available:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The National Alliance on Mental Illness 1-800-950-6264
The Association of Black Psychologists 1-301-449-3082
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America 1-240-485-1001
For more mental health resources, click HERE.
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