Man charged with harassing judge overseeing trial in Daunte Wright killing

by Monique Beals - 12/06/21 2:53 PM ET

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Activists march to protest the death of Daunte Wright on April 13, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. People have taken to the streets to protest after Daunte Wright, a 20-year old black man, was shot and killed by police in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

A man accused of harassing the judge presiding over the trial of a former Minnesota police officer accused of killing Daunte Wright has been charged with felony harassment with aggravated violations.

Cortez Rice was part of a group that last month protested Judge Regina Chu’s decision to ban cameras from the courtroom during the trial, ABC News reported on Sunday.

The 32-year-old joined others outside a Minneapolis apartment building where they believed Chu lived. While other protesters remained outside the building, Rice live streamed himself via YouTube as he entered the building and went to the 12th floor, according to ABC.

“I think this is her crib right here,” Rice reportedly said outside the door, according to court documents.

“We demand transparency. We’d hate you to get kicked out of your apartment,” Rice yelled at Chu, ABC added.

According to the network, Chu told investigators “it was her belief the intention was to intimidate her and to interfere with the judicial process.”

Rice was reportedly arrested last week and is awaiting extradition at the Waukesha County Jail in Wisconsin.

Chu is overseeing the trial of Kim Potter, the former police officer who in April fatally shot Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop regarding an expired registration tag. Potter faces charges including first- and second-degree manslaughter, and opening arguments for her trial are scheduled for Wednesday.

Tags Cortez Rice Daunte Wright deaths in police custody Killing of Daunte Wright Minnesota police killings Police shootings