Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, has entered a not guilty plea in a felony burglary case in Becker County, and a hearing in the case scheduled for Friday has been cancelled.

Mitchell was charged with illegally entering a residence in Detroit Lakes — where her stepmother lives — and taking items belonging to her deceased father. 

A stipulation filed Tuesday says the state cannot argue that Mitchell stole a laptop. 

“The state may not argue that the defendant stole the laptop from the residence in question as part of any theory of burglary,” reads the filing in Becker County District Court. 

The filing said the laptop was “forensically examined,” but does not offer more details. 

The defense withdrew a motion to dismiss the case for lack of probable cause, and asked that the case be scheduled for a settlement conference and jury trial.

Republicans have been calling on Mitchell to resign her state Senate seat ever since her arrest.  Democrats held a one-seat majority in the state Senate last session. 

Since then, state Sen. Kelly Morrison, DFL-Deephaven, resigned her seat to run for the U.S. House seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips. As a result, each party holds 33 seats in the Minnesota Senate. 

Dan Gunderson

Author

Brian Bakst

DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell from Woodbury has entered a not guilty plea in a felony burglary case in Becker County. The defense withdrew a motion to dismiss the case and asked for a jury trial. A hearing scheduled for Friday has been cancelled.

Three people sit at a table while press lines up behind them

Sen. Nicole Mitchell enters not guilty plea to burglary charge

Go Deeper.

Like this?