Elon Musk has called for Derek Chauvin to be released, amplifying a new legal challenge from the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in George Floyd’s 2020 death.
According to The Post Millennial, Musk posted “Free Chauvin” on Wednesday and followed with a longer statement arguing that Chauvin was “unjustly convicted of murder.” Musk claimed in that post that Chauvin “was not the cause of death” and “did not at any time intend for a death to occur.”
Those claims remain disputed and are tied to ongoing legal arguments. Chauvin was convicted in Minnesota state court in 2021 and has continued to seek post-conviction relief.
Chauvin’s Attorney Alleges Procedural Defects
The latest petition, filed by Chauvin attorney Greg Joseph, reportedly runs 31 pages and seeks dismissal of Chauvin’s state charges. The filing alleges “fraudulent” and “unlawful” conduct by Minnesota state and county officials, according to the source material citing The Post Millennial and Fox News.
Joseph’s central argument is that a grand jury was not convened to review the evidence against Chauvin. The petition reportedly claims Judge Peter Cahill allowed a “year-long due process violation” by not impaneling a grand jury before trial.
The filing argues that, without a grand jury, the court lacked jurisdiction over the charges. That is Chauvin’s legal position, not a finding by a court in the newly described petition.
Petition Questions Walz and Ellison’s Roles
The petition also challenges Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to assign the prosecution to Attorney General Keith Ellison. Joseph reportedly argues that the transfer was unlawful and that Ellison later added the second-degree murder charge.
The source material states that Hennepin County prosecutor Amy Seasy disagreed with that charge and left the case. That claim should be independently verified before publication because the supplied article provides no direct documentation or quotation from Seasy.
Joseph’s petition reportedly characterizes the trial as “a fraud” and argues the charges were not properly before the court. Those are allegations from Chauvin’s attorney and have not been established in this new proceeding.
Musk Gives the Challenge a Larger Audience
Musk’s posts brought broad visibility to a legal fight that had largely remained within courts and political media. The source says one of his follow-up posts received more than 214,000 likes within hours, though that engagement figure should be verified against the original post before publication.
The source also says more than 50 current and former Minneapolis police officers signed declarations stating the restraint Chauvin used was part of departmental training. That claim is potentially significant but should be checked against the court record before being presented as confirmed.
Chauvin’s petition does not guarantee a new outcome. Courts will determine whether the claims are procedurally valid and whether any alleged defect warrants relief.
What Happens Next
The latest filing puts renewed focus on due process questions surrounding one of the most consequential criminal cases of 2021. Musk’s intervention does not change the legal standard, but it has increased public attention on Chauvin’s attempt to overturn or dismiss his state conviction.
The case now turns on whether the court accepts any of Joseph’s arguments about grand jury requirements, jurisdiction, prosecutorial authority, or alleged misconduct.
