Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell is considering moving Kim Potter out of state to a new prison.
Under the potential plan, she’d move 3.5 hours south to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women.
Potter’s husband, Jeff, told Alpha News the potential move came out of the blue last week when his wife was put on a call for an interview with the Iowa facility with no warning.
“The next thing I knew she was on the phone with me crying, saying that she would be moved,” Jeff Potter said.
He said his wife had been doing alright, considering the circumstances, until this news.
“She was doing the best she can in Shakopee, coping, until all of this last week,” Jeff Potter said.
“When the whole scenario came up of moving her … it crushed her,” he added, noting that he was only recently allowed to visit his wife in prison for the first time after COVID-19 restrictions on visitors were lifted.
Multiple sources confirm Schnell has cited protocol that suggests moving convicted police officers out of state for safety reasons.
However, prison staff at Shakopee have reportedly told Potter’s family there are no safety issues and they see no reason to move her.
Former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor was transferred to a prison in North Dakota a month after his sentencing in the death of Justine Damond.
Sources say pressure has also been put on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to get involved and put a stop to the move.
In February, Potter was sentenced to two years in prison for the killing of Daunte Wright. She will likely serve another year in prison and then be put on supervised release.
Our call to Commissioner Schnell was not returned Monday night.
A decision on a move could come as soon as Tuesday.
Update:
NEW DEVELOPMENTS: Kim Potter’s family has confirmed with me that she is NOT being transferred from Shakopee and will be allowed to stay where she is.
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) April 12, 2022
Liz Collin
Liz Collin has been a truth-teller for 20 years as a multi-Emmy-Award-winning reporter and anchor. Liz is a Worthington, Minnesota native who lives in the suburbs with her husband, son and loyal lab.
