Chauvin files postconviction petition in Hennepin
Attorney Greg Joseph filed a 71-page memorandum supporting a petition for postconviction relief for former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin on Nov. 20 in Hennepin County District Court, seeking to vacate his conviction or obtain a new trial. The filing argues due-process violations, challenges prosecution video analysis versus medical examiner findings, alleges false or misleading testimony by MPD leaders, and cites dozens of officer declarations asserting the restraint technique was part of MPD training.
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📌 Key Facts
- Filing: 71-page memorandum supporting postconviction petition submitted Nov. 20, 2025, in Hennepin County District Court
- Relief sought: vacate conviction or new trial based on alleged due-process violations under U.S. and Minnesota constitutions
- Core issues cited: intent and causation; petition argues conviction rested on 'two thin strands'
- Allegations: false/misleading testimony by MPD Inspector Katie Blackwell, former Chief Medaria Arradondo and others
- Evidence cited: sworn declarations from 57 current/former MPD officers asserting the restraint used was MPD-trained
- Expert dispute: challenges prosecution witness Dr. Martin Tobin’s video-based analysis compared with ME Dr. Andrew Baker’s autopsy
- Related reference: petition cites a judge’s finding in a separate defamation case that statements about MPD witnesses were 'substantially true'