Minneapolis, Minnesota – Judge Regina Chu sentenced former Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter to 22 months in prison for the death of Daunte Wright.

The sentencing comes nearly two months after Potter was convicted of first and second-degree manslaughter in Wright's death.

The 22-month sentence calls for 16 months to be served in prison, while the remaining six months are to be carried out on "supervised release", with the assumption no disciplinary offenses occur while Potter is in prison.

Potter will receive credit for 58 days already served. Along with the prison sentence, Potter was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine along with a $78 surcharge, according to the judge.

Prior to reading the sentence, Judge Chu sympathized with the Wright family, particularly his mother, saying, "I cannot begin to understand the grief of losing a child."

The 22-month sentence was much less than state guidelines suggest for first and second-degree manslaughter charges.

In Minnesota, a first-degree manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine, while second-degree charges carry a maximum of 10 years and a $20,000 fine.

Judge Chu made note of this, saying, "Officer Potter made a mistake," adding, "Her conduct cries out for a sentence significantly below the guidelines."

Given that the judge found the state had failed to meet the burden of proof in regard to aggravating factors, she ruled that such factors did not exist.

The former police officer was also ordered to provide a DNA sample, and was barred from possessing any firearms, ammunition, or explosives.

Following the sentencing ruling, an emotional Judge Chu told the courtroom, "Empathy is a quality of character that can change the world. Officer Kimberly Potter was trying to do the right thing."

On April 11, 2021, Potter and other responding law enforcement officers pulled 20-year-old Wright over for an expired license plate.

When the officers tried to arrest Wright after finding out he had an outstanding warrant, he resisted and attempted to get back into his vehicle unarmed.

It was then that Potter alleged she reached for her taser, but instead grabbed her gun, and shot Wright in the chest, taking his life.

During her trial, Potter and her legal counsel argued that she mistook her gun for her taser, despite its difference in weight, color, and shape.

Judge Chu reiterated that Potter has the right to appeal both her conviction and sentencing.