MN Senator’s Trial Delayed in Wake of Lawmaker’s Assassination
Detroit Lakes, MN (KROC-AM News) - The deadly political violence in the Twin Cities has resulted in a delay in the trial of a Minnesota lawmaker facing felony burglary charges.
The trial of State Senator Nicole Mitchell was scheduled to get underway today in Becker County Court. The 55-year-old Woodbury Democrat is charged with first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools.
The criminal complaint in the case was filed in late April after police in Detroit Lakes arrested Mitchell when they discovered her in the basement of her stepmother's home. The court document says she was dressed in all black clothing and wearing a black hat. The arresting officers also reported finding a flashlight that had a black sock covering it—an apparent modification to limit the amount of light it emitted.
After she was taken into custody, the complaint says Mitchell told the officers that she was trying to retrieve a couple of her late father's belongings because her stepmother would no longer speak with her.
Detroit Lakes police reported that investigators found evidence Mitchell had entered the home through a basement window, where they also found a small backpack stuck in the sliding pane. Inside, they discovered two laptops and a cell phone, which Mitchell claimed she owned. The court document says she also stated she had “just gotten into the house” and remarked, “Clearly, I’m not good at this.”
The charges allege investigators later determined one of the laptops belonged to her stepmother. Mitchell claimed it had previously been given to her, but police say the stepmother stated that was not true.
READ MORE: Minnesota state senator arrested on suspicion of burglary
The Becker County judge presiding over the case today approved a defense motion to postpone the proceedings. Mitchell’s attorneys cited the recent assassination and attempted assassination of two Minnesota lawmakers and indicated the request was made out of reverence for the “unspeakable tragedy” and to allow “the partisan political temperature in Minnesota time to cool down.” The prosecution did not object.
The trial is now scheduled to begin in late August.
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Gallery Credit: Carly Ross
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