Update by: Austin Erickson
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – The Becker County burglary trial of DFL State Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury has been moved to July 14th.
Jury selection was scheduled to begin this past Monday, but it was postponed due to the shootings of State Senator John Hoffman, State Representative Melissa Hortman and their spouses.
Mitchell is accused of using a crowbar to break into her stepmother’s Detroit Lakes home in 2024 and getting her late father’s personal items. She has pleaded not guilty.
(Original story below)
By: Devin Fry
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (Valley News Live) – DFL Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury’s Becker County burglary trial has been pushed back.
Jury selection was planned to be in-person on Monday, but that was replaced by a Zoom hearing. Mitchell appeared with her attorney who issued a motion for a continuance due to the shootings of DFL Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park and DFL State Senator John Hoffman of Champlin.
The prosecution did not oppose, saying this was “not a good week for this case” adding they want to give the case the appropriate time.
The judge agreed to the continuance, siting safety and security issues. The date to continue the trial has not been determined.
Mitchell is charged with first degree burglary. She’s accused of breaking into her late father’s home in Detroit Lakes where her stepmother lives. Mitchell says she was trying to get some of her father’s things after her stepmother stopped talking to her.
Mitchell’s lawyers are asking for a recent burglary tools possession charge to be dismissed.
