During trial, Chauvin's defense attorney was Eric Nelson. Nelson's law firm partner, Marsh Halberg of Halberg Criminal Defense, confirms that "Mr. Nelson does not represent Mr. Chauvin on the state appeal at this time."
Who is Derek Chauvin's defense attorney Eric Nelson? Eric Nelson, 46, is a founding partner at Halberg Defense, one of the largest criminal defense firms in the region, according to law partner Marsh Halberg.
The prosecution team has 13 lawyers, said John Stiles, Ellison's spokesman, and a 14th acted as a jury consultant. Ellison, Frank and Eldridge are the only ones who work in the attorney general's office. The team also includes Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Joshua Larson and nine outside attorneys.
Away from the lighter moments, Nelson has appeared well-prepared even as he goes up against a prosecution team many times larger. He has gone hard and consistently at his chief message: that Floyd's consumption of illegal drugs is to blame for his death, rather than something Chauvin did.
Eric Nelson was both on October 30, 1971 in Anniston, Alabama to Brian and Carole Nelson. The second of three children. Eric's older brother, Ryan, passed away before Eric was born. Eric has a younger sister, Jennifer, and was raised in a military family until his parents divorced at the age of seven.
The MPPOA also covered the cost to defend former Minneapolis police officer Chauvin, who was convicted of murdering George Floyd, and will also cover the cost to defend his three fellow former police officers.
The Minneapolis police union is part of a larger statewide group called the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, whose legal defense fund is paying for Derek Chauvin's defense team.
Erin Eldridge, an assistant attorney general, works in the office's criminal division. Like Mr. Frank, she was involved in the prosecution of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was convicted in April of murdering George Floyd.