Elon Musk backs Derek Chauvin as he files new George Floyd conviction challenge
Derek Chauvin has asked a court to pause his appeal while pursuing new claims. His attorneys argue the original charges were unlawfully brought by the governor. Elon Musk publicly supported Chauvin's bid to overturn the murder conviction. The former officer's legal team cites procedural errors in their filings. This marks Chauvin's third petition seeking post-conviction relief.
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer, has filed a new request to challenge his conviction for the murder of George Floyd. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has come forward in support of Chauvin's bid to overturn the conviction. In an X post, Musk stated, "Derek Chauvin was unjustly convicted of murder, therefore he should be freed. The facts show that he was not the cause of death, nor did he at any time intend for a death to occur. Whatever else he may be, he is not a murderer. That is the truth."
Chauvin's legal team has filed a motion with the Minnesota Court of Appeals to temporarily halt his current appeal, allowing the case to return to the trial court for consideration of new claims. These claims include allegations of unlawful prosecution by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz assigning Attorney General Keith Ellison, procedural violations such as failure to convene a grand jury, lack of court jurisdiction, and judicial bias. The defense argues these are "structural errors" that cannot be waived.
This is Chauvin's third petition seeking post-conviction relief. His previous petition was rejected on May 1, 2025, and an appeal was filed in June. The latest motion seeks to pause the ongoing appeal while the trial court evaluates the new procedural claims.
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