Musk Reacts To Conviction Of 71-Year-Old Jan. 6 Protester

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently criticized the jury decision to convict a Colorado grandmother who was found guilty of misdemeanor charges relating to her attendance at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Rebecca Lavrenz, 71, owns a bed and breakfast in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has no criminal record, according to the Post Millennial.

The outlet noted that the 71-year-old grandmother drove across the U.S. to attend then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, D.C. On Jan. 6, she was caught entering the Capitol building shortly after she was seen praying with a group of other Trump supporters.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) reacted to Larenz’s conviction, writing, “She needs prayers…and then a presidential pardon.”

Lavrenz now faces up to a year behind bars and fines exceeding $200,000. Before finding the 71-year-old grandmother guilty, the Washington, D.C., jury deliberated for more than 24 hours. On April 1, 2024, Lavrenz testified in her defense for five hours after the jury began deliberating.

Footage surrounding the events of Jan. 6 shows Lavrenz peacefully walking inside the Capitol building while speaking to Capitol Police officers. The Colorado grandmother reportedly told the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that she spent 10 minutes inside the building.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Lavrenz with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, as well as demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

On March 20, 2024, in a video posted on X, Lavrenz said, “My own country is treating me like a criminal just because I believe that they stole my rightful president. I was just standing up for my country, it makes me a criminal. And it’s just not right, it feels so weird to be here. Over three years ago I was here.”

Throughout the campaign trail, former President Donald Trump has pledged to pardon the Jan. 6 “hostages,” as he calls them, from prison.

The former president has said that this will be one of his top priorities if he is elected president in November 2024.