Senator Nicole Mitchell, a Democrat from Woodbury, Minnesota, has pleaded not guilty to charges of burglary stemming from an alleged break-in at her estranged stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes. The incident occurred after the death of Mitchell’s father, and she reportedly entered the residence to retrieve sentimental items, including her late father’s ashes.
In recent developments, a court stipulation confirms that prosecutors will not argue that Mitchell stole a laptop found at the scene, though evidence from the laptop may still be used if the case goes to trial. Mitchell’s defense team withdrew a motion to dismiss the case and requested a settlement conference and a jury trial. A trial date has yet to be set..
The charges against Mitchell have caused significant political tension, as she is a key vote in a narrowly divided Minnesota Senate. Her arrest led to her removal from committee assignments, though she has not resigned from her seat.