MN State Sen. Nicole Mitchell jury trial for burglary charge to begin in January
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell will appear before a jury to face a burglary charge after her arrest in Detroit Lakes back in April.
What we know
Becker County court records show the jury trial is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 27.
Sen. Mitchell pleaded not guilty to the burglary charge last week.
READ MORE: MN State Sen. Nicole Mitchell pleads not guilty to burglary charge
She entered the guilty plea as part of a stipulation, which says she did not steal a laptop from the home. "The state may not argue that the defendant stole the laptop from the residence in question as part of any theory of burglary," court documents state.
READ MORE: 911 transcript in Sen. Mitchell alleged burglary released: 'I tripped over ‘em'
Arrest Background
The criminal complaint states Detroit Lakes police responded to a reported burglary at a home around 4:45 a.m. on April 22. Police then found Mitchell in the home's basement dressed in all black. Officers say they also found a flashlight covered with a black sock nearby.
Mitchell reportedly told investigators she was "just trying to get some of my dad's things" and added "clearly, I'm not good at this."
The complaint states Mitchell explained to police that her father had just died and she wanted sentimental items her stepmother refused to give to her. Mitchell said those include her father's ashes, pictures, clothes, and other sentimental items.
READ MORE: Gov. Tim Walz, Minnesota DFL call for Sen. Nicole Mitchell's resignation after burglary charge
Sen. Mitchell's response
Mitchell shared a Facebook post shortly after the incident in which she denied she had entered the home to steal anything.
The post reads:
"Like so many families, mine is dealing with the pain of watching a loved one decline due to Alzheimer's and associated paranoia.
"Over the weekend, I learned of medical information which caused me grave concern and prompted me to check on that family member. I entered a home I have come and gone from countless times in the past 20 years, where my son even once had his own room.
"Unfortunately, I startled this close relative, exacerbating paranoia, and I was accused of stealing, which I absolutely deny.
"Thank you to all my friends (and colleagues of both parties) for the kind words of support and for trusting my character even before I had a chance to respond.
"This has been a true tragedy for our family and my hope is it can return to being a private matter."