(BrightPress.org) – Senator Nicole Mitchell, a Democrat from Minnesota was arrested for burglary last week and consequently will be removed from committee assignments and caucus meetings until an investigation into the matter is complete.
Police found Mitchell clad in all black in the basement of her stepmother’s home. Mitchell allegedly confessed to police that she entered the residence through a window and intended to take her father’s ashes and other sentimental items because her stepmother had ceased communicating with her since her father’s death. Mitchell was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary. She was booked into the Becker County Jail and released without bail the next day.
A social media post contradicts the confession. Mitchell posted on Facebook that she had gone to the residence to check on a family member known to be declining and suffering from Alzheimer’s. According to the social media post, the family member became startled due to paranoia associated with Alzheimer’s and accused Mitchell of stealing. Mitchell continued to say that she has had access to the home for 20 years and her son once even had his own room inside the residence.
Steven Todd of the Detroit Lakes Police Department said the burglary and arrest were caught on body cameras, but he is prohibited by state law from releasing the footage.
Senate Republicans filed an ethics complaint, some members calling for Mitchell to resign. Senator Karin Housley, a Republican from Stillwater, expressed outrage that Mitchell would be allowed to make decisions for the Senate after being charged with such a “serious crime.” A committee is scheduled to review the complaint on May 7th.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said Mitchell will be relieved of certain duties while the case is reviewed because there are still questions that need to be answered.
Mitchell was elected to represent District 47 in 2022. Before becoming a senator, Mitchell was a meteorologist for KSTP-TV. She currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard.
Copyright 2024, BrightPress.org
