Kim Potter Trial

[H2O Man]

Is anyone else watching the prosecutot cross-examine Kim Potter? On direct, she was very sad. On cross, the saddness is MIA,and she is hostile as can be.

[spanone]

1. I was absolutely just thinking the same thing....

great minds?

[H2O Man]

5. It's been an

interesting trial. The judge is outstanding. The prosecutors are doing a heck of a good job. The younger defense attorney -- who is not young -- is pretty good. The older guy is frequently confused, but always hoping to slip in an issue for appeal.

Kim feigned crying on direct, though it was faked. Now we are witnessing the real Officer Potter.

[spanone]

10. I didn't see any tears when she cried, but her demeanor seriously changed when she was cross-exmined

[H2O Man]

12. Yes it did.

[True Dough]

2. This is the cop

who fired her service pistol instead of her Taser, killing a Black man, is that right?

[H2O Man]

3. Yes.

[Hoyt]

4. Find it sad in all respects, especially for victim. Defendants are often hostile to prosecutors. n/t

[H2O Man]

6. True.

It is a sad, sad case. Not the usual police shooting, for sure.

And defendants are definitely frequently hostile when questioned about their crimes. Because this does not appear to be an intentional homicide, I don't think it serves the defense well for Potter to be this hostile.

[2 Meow Momma]

7. Agree with your assessment! nt

[H2O Man]

13. Thanks!

[madaboutharry]

8. She has been coming across as decisively unlikeable.

Now she is breaking down. I would think this is a natural reaction to having to watch yourself shoot someone.

But agree her demeanor during cross-examination was not helpful.

[H2O Man]

14. "unlikeable"

I was a bit surprised the defense hadn't prepared her regarding this. Being likeable is a huge factor with juries. Even if they could school her on this during a break, it won't seem real. She doesn't seem to benefit from training.

[BlackSkimmer]

9. I just started watching during the cross, and she was crying.

[H2O Man]

15. Everything but tears.

I'm sure it has been horrible for her, regardless of the lack of actual tears. Not as bad as for the young man she shot and killed, of course. Or for the young lady in the car with him when he was shot. Or, for that matter, whoever was in the other vehicle involved in the wreck. But bad. Her hostility towards the prosecutor reduces the sympathy level.

[BlackSkimmer]

17. I am actually not buying this poor little me act.

She was a fucking police officer for 26 years, yet seems to have no control of her emotions or composure.

I amazed she made it that long in that profession.

[H2O Man]

20. Exactly!

I can appreciate that this was a horrible event for her. But I also know that really horrible events tend to be very hard to forget .... so much so, that people often have those events replay over and over again in their mind.

[BlackSkimmer]

37. Yes, her reaction immediately after the shooting made it perfectly clear who she was worried about,

And it wasn’t the victim.

[H2O Man]

49. Right.

[Mary in S. Carolina]

31. +1000

Waaaay to much acting.

[marie999]

57. How does a 26-year veteran of the police force not know the difference

between her weapon and her taser. Her weapon weighs about twice what a taser weighs. I can't find the pressure needed to fire a taser.

[BlackSkimmer]

60. I know. Plus she was a training officer.

She strikes me as one of those people I always called “skaters” in my working life. Just skated along, kissing ass when necessary, and doing the minimum. Just marking time till the pension.

Numerous law enforcement types have commented that the stop was sloppy and unprofessional. They kept the car running, they didn’t take him to the back of the car, which would have made it much more difficult to get back in and take off. And she was supposedly training someone. Smh.

She was an incompetent cop, and her superiors have a lot to answer for too.

Why is there even a trial? She did it. What are they trying to get for her? Not guilty? Holy shite.

[H2O Man]

62. I was thinking that

her defense team would negotiate a plea.

[Solly Mack]

11. I liked how the defense went on and on about her years of experience and training in a crisis

situation (though the defense kept calling it hostage training) as if that served her to the good.

(Later the prosecution clarified that it was not hostage training but was crisis training and Potter concurred - though she never once corrected her defense attorney)

Potter was even a training officer? Yet she didn't check her taser (spark test) and she said she never handled the taser during taser training? She is supposed to be teaching other officers, but she can't even answer questions on what she supposedly teaches?

All those years of training, crisis training, etc. - not to know the difference between a taser and a glock? Not even know, as she claimed, that there's a difference in how much each weigh?

The defense is going to blame her lack of training though they stressed her years and years of training?

She was trained for any crisis situation but at the same time not trained?

And then she was hostile to any question by the prosecution about her training and abilities - taking umbrage along the "How dare you question my training and abilities!" lines.

Potter was pleading ignorance and incompetence, more or less, and then getting angry at the prosecution for questioning her abilities.

I was laughing.

While she was briefly making her boo-boo face my husband said she's pulling a "Rittenhouse" now. And just like that, her very much dry face relaxed.

[H2O Man]

16. I wish that I

could recommend your post!!!

She certainly didn't come across in a sympathetic manner, did she? I am very impressed with the prosecutor doing the cross-examination. She maintains a pleasantness that creates a distinct contrast to the killer.

[Solly Mack]

36. She is coming across as someone you can't tell anything to without her becoming defensive.

Or working up a boo-boo face.

[H2O Man]

50. It takes a certain type

to shoot and kill a human being, and to then view one's self as the victim.

That defensive bit seems all too common among those attracted to a career in law enforcement.

I was hoping the prosecutor would have asked one last question: so your co-workers, who you identified as "family," could always be counted on to help you in any way possible if you were in a tight spot? Maybe better she didn't, as I trust her judgement in prosecuting the case.

[Solly Mack]

59. I had to stop watching. Couldn't take it anymore.

[greatauntoftriplets]

18. I had to change the channel when her testimony started.

I feared it would devolve into a Kyle Rittenhouse-type performance and am still too pissed off about that verdict to be able to watch it.

[H2O Man]

22. I think she tried.

She came across as anything but sincere.

[greatauntoftriplets]

26. That's good to know.

She definitely do not look sincere in the few minutes that I did see.

[Mary in S. Carolina]

27. It did, I guess if you go on TV and cry, then

that is enough to let a murderer off.

[greatauntoftriplets]

32. And that's precisely why I changed the channel.

Sounds like her performance wasn't exactly Academy Award caliber.

[Tickle]

21. I feel bad for her

and she was crying when I was watching. She never meant to kill anybody it's a very sad situation. She will be going to jail and she knows it

[H2O Man]

23. I have compassion.

I agree that she did not intend to kill him. She was in way over her head. However, I would think she could have done better for herself by taking responsibility, rather than fighting the charges.

[Mary in S. Carolina]

30. Where was the compassion for the murdered black guy???

Last edited Sat Dec 18, 2021, 12:00 AM - Edit history (1)

She knew exactly what she was doing when she committed murder, I have no "compassion" for a murderer, no matter how fakey her cries were. This is so demeaning to women, let's "cry" to get out of trouble.

[uponit7771]

35. She doesn't have a history of complaints and didn't look like she was acting a damn fool ...

... outside of grabbing her taser.

I fault the LEOs for not just letting the guy go and picking him up later, he didn't look like he was going to be a threat outside of their environment.

Had she had a record like the other assholes who've killed black men I

On the other hand what would be the charge against a black guy who accidently shot her?

Give her the similar sentence,

[H2O Man]

40. Well said.

Valid points, all.

I am expecting a hung jury.

[H2O Man]

38. She definitely

did not seem compassionate on the stand. Quite the opposite. Thus, I think being the opposite of her is a good thing. Yet I can understand and appreciate those who have no compassion for her.

[Tickle]

33. I know you have

compassion, I've read other posts that you've written. It was just a horrific accident and the charges are accurate. She will do jail time. When the young man's father was on I cried with him. There are no words

[H2O Man]

51. There have to be consequences.

And being incarcerated is a correct consequence for killing the young man. And her actions hurt a heck of a lot of others. This will have a deeper impact on the young lady in the car than incarceration will have on Potter.

When I watched the father testify, I was reminded of my cousin, testifying against the thug cop that murdered his son a few years back. I have struggled many times with how I feel about that thug. I'm glad he is in prison for the rest of his life. Yet when I consider him, I think of what a waste his life was -- a waste that caused suffering and death for others.

[Tickle]

52. Your last

Paragraph has overwhelmed me with sadness.
I’m sorry for you and your cousin. There is nothing more horrific than losing a child. I wish I could hug you.
❤️❤️
Peace

[H2O Man]

55. Thank you!

We've had people murdered for three generations on my maternal side. It does a lot of damage to an extended family. I assume that having a killer in one's family does severe damage, too.

At my cousin's son's funeral, a detective pulled me aside, and said people were making threatening calls to the thug's wife and daughters. He asked me if I could find out who was calling, and tell them to stop. I said I was likely the last person who anyone making such calls would tell, but if I did find out, I'd certainly tell them to stop.

There's too much hate in our country today. I think about it daily, and wish I knew a way to de-escalate it.

[Mary in S. Carolina]

28. Where were the tears?

[H2O Man]

41. Must have been

inside. They surely weren't on her face.

[panader0]

34. I don't. A taser and a pistol are very different in size and weight

and are on different sides of your belt. She should, by every metric, known the difference.

[H2O Man]

43. Right.

Her actions killed a man, and hurt many others. It's not the type of mistake that can be overlooked.

[lamp_shade]

24. To me Potter came across as a petulant child.

[H2O Man]

44. Definitely.

She came across very poorly today.

[Mary in S. Carolina]

25. Notice no (or very few) tears

when she has her many, many, many breakdowns? I think she is a horrible actress, she wanted to shoot this black kid...she did. She has zero credibility.

[H2O Man]

45. I agree about tears.

I respectfully disagree about her wanting to kill the young man. Her actions displayed exactly why she should never have been provided with a weapon. She did not have the ability to deal with a stressful situation. And that was hardly as stressful a situation as any cop should be able to handle. Of the three cops there, for an obvious example, she is the only one who grabbed her gun and shot.

[PCIntern]

29. Among other things,

Before I say this I want to acknowledge that this is a terrible tragedy primarily for the family of the deceased of course, and for the incompetence of this so-called peace officer who completely fucked up.

One of the things which upsets me about this is this is exactly the kind of thing that could happen to me. I would be called into service and events would run away and I would do something really really stupid and Live to regret it for the rest of my life. This is why I do not carry a firearm and I’m very careful in life, take as few chances as possible with my safety and that of my family, I just hope for the best. I’ve been in circumstances where I have gotten out of control due to temper or fear and I have not exercised the best judgment during those times. The old adage that I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by six Is a great play on words and amusing, but the idea of making a mistake and causing the death of another needlessly would be more than I could bear as an individual.

[Hortensis]

42. When I was a RE appraiser I ran into some situations

(the ones I really thought were going to kill me were dogs, but there were other incidents and high crime neighborhoods) that made me seriously consider getting a handgun and permit.

Control wasn't a worry, nor have I ever doubted I could use a gun on someone, but the possibility of a horrible or unnecessary shooting, any shooting, and all that would come with it, was a real concern. Even shooting someone's dog promised trouble. Inoccasionally, young males tried to intimidate me for fun. It was irritating to give these overgrown brats the response they sought to avoid triggering one who might be real trouble, but of course showing my "piece" to anyone heading my way and inviting them to make my day would not be an option. Ultimately, I decided my first defence in any case would be to tighten up on avoidance tactics, and the confidence of having a gun would counter that.

[H2O Man]

54. Great points.

Twice in my life, I've been on the other side of a shotgun. Both were extremely unpleasant experiences. I can say that at those times, my mind was alert and clear. I was a very good community crisis worker. Without sounding too arrogant, it was what made me a great crises worker. I had some solid co-workers, but I was the best at it. It's not a skill that can be taught, it is just an individual characteristic that serves as a skill in certain jobs. If anything, it was something I developed in boxing.

I've never carried a gun. I have had no experiences that I look back and think, "I wish I had a gun."

[harumph]

58. Your post is realistic and humbling.

I think medical people understand these things. Doctors, nurses and others rarely make mistakes that
result in a death or serious injury - but it can and does happen and it's tragic. This situation is almost unknown
in say, accountants.

[48656c6c6f20]

39. I would not like to see her get

Over 5 to 10 years nor would I like her to get probation or a year. What I don't understand is why none of her supervisors are being charged? They bear as much responsibility as she does. The training was obviously wasted and most likely ignored or gun decked.

[Tickle]

47. I'm with you nt

[Lars39]

46. I saw just a snippet,

didn’t even pay attention to question or who asked it, but my initial thought was “she’s medicated.”

[H2O Man]

56. Yes.

Me, too.

[gldstwmn]

48. Her rookie partner was a dick too. She killed someone over a traffic stop she herself

would never have made over an air freshener then threw herself on the ground because she was worried about her. She didn't even try to help her victim.

[Tickle]

53. I missed that nt

[gldstwmn]

61. He testified a few days ago. I'm sure it's on YouTube. He still works for that department.

Since she was training him she should have told him that she doesn't usually pull people over for air fresheners hanging from a mirror. Also the defense talking about the odor of marijuana made them look desperate and ridiculous.
If she was so sorry she should have just plead guilty but she didn't. Her husband looks like a real piece of work too.