Elon Musk speaks out on DOJ conviction of 'praying grandma,' Sen Mike Lee calls for her to be pardoned

Elon Musk called the jury decision to convict Rebecca Lavrenz "not right" after the Colorado grandmother was found guilty of misdemeanor charges stemming from her attendance at the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.

The 71-year-old great-grandmother owns a bed and breakfast in Colorado Springs and has no criminal record guilty. She drove across the country to attend the Stop the Steal rally in Washington, DC on that day and was caught up with a group of people entering the Capitol. This came after she had spent time outside the building praying with a group of other rally goers. 

Senator Mike Lee (R-AZ) posted on X in response to the jury’s decision “She needs prayers…and then a presidential pardon.”

Lavrenz could face up to a year in prison and fines over $200,000. The DC jury deliberated for nearly 26 hours before finding Lavrenz guilty on Thursday, which was longer than the deliberation periods for most of the J6 cases. On Monday, Lavrenze testified in her defense for five hours following which the jury began deliberations.

Surveillance footage shows her peacefully walking around inside the Capitol Building and speaking to a Capitol Police Officer. She told the FBI that she spent 10 minutes inside the building, which was corroborated with cell phone data.

She was charged 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, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol Building.

In a video posted to X on March 20, in advance of her trial, Lavrenz said through tears, "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."