Democratic Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell appeared before an ethics panel to address the burglary charge she faces for allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s home last month. Mitchell invoked her Fifth Amendment rights and refused to testify during the panel, which is comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans. The panel remained divided on a potential path forward regarding Mitchell’s future in the legislature, with Republican Sen. Eric Lucero stating that Mitchell’s actions were a violation of Senate rules and left the Minnesota Senate under a cloud of distrust.
Mitchell was removed from committee assignments and caucus meetings after being arrested at her stepmother’s home on April 22 and later charged with first-degree burglary. Mitchell has denied the allegations and claimed that she was simply checking on an ill loved one. According to a criminal complaint, Mitchell acknowledged entering through a window to retrieve sentimental items that her stepmother had allegedly refused to give her. One of Mitchell’s attorneys mentioned that she may enter a plea at her next court hearing on June 10, but the decision means that the ethics panel will not take any further action before the legislative session adjourns on May 20.
Democratic Sen. Bobby Joe Champion of Minneapolis, who chairs the ethics panel, suggested that waiting until the evidence could be tested for accuracy was the prudent thing to do. Mitchell’s attorney Bruce Ringstrom Jr. mentioned that the plea might be delayed, indicating that the proceedings could be prolonged. Mitchell, who represents District 47 and was elected to the state Senate in 2022, was previously a meteorologist for KSTP-TV and Minnesota Public Radio and serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard. Despite her legal troubles, no immediate action was taken by the ethics panel, given the pending court hearing and the legislative session’s impending adjournment.
The case involving Mitchell’s alleged burglary has raised concerns and controversy within the Minnesota Senate, with Senator Lucero expressing distrust and a violation of Senate rules due to Mitchell’s actions. Mitchell’s refusal to testify at the ethics panel and the pending court case have left her political future uncertain, with the panel remaining divided on how to proceed. The decision to wait for the evidence to be tested raises questions about the timeline and potential outcomes for Mitchell, who faces a serious charge of first-degree burglary. The delay in entering a plea could further prolong the process and impact Mitchell’s standing in the legislature.
Mitchell’s claims of checking on an ill loved one during the alleged burglary have been contested by the criminal complaint, which details her entry through a window to retrieve sentimental items from her late father’s home. Despite her denial of the allegations, Mitchell’s legal situation has resulted in her removal from committee assignments and caucus meetings. While her next court hearing on June 10 may shed light on the potential course of action, the ethics panel has opted to refrain from further action until the legislative session adjourns on May 20. Mitchell’s background as a meteorologist and lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard highlights the complexity of her situation and the potential impact on her political career.
As the ethics panel weighs the evidence and potential implications of Mitchell’s case, the Minnesota Senate remains embroiled in controversy and uncertainty. Mitchell’s invocation of her Fifth Amendment rights and the pending court proceedings have left her political future in limbo, with the panel split on how to proceed. The decision to delay further action until after the legislative session adjourns raises questions about the timing and potential outcomes for Mitchell, who faces significant repercussions from the burglary charge. Despite her denial of the allegations and claims of checking on an ill loved one, Mitchell’s legal troubles have created a cloud of distrust within the Senate, with implications for her standing and reputation as an elected official.
