Jury convicts Minnesota lawmaker Nicole Mitchell of burglary

2025, July 24

United States

On Friday, Democratic Minnesota state senator Nicole Mitchell was convicted on two charges, felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools, stemming from a 2024 incident in which she was arrested after allegedly breaking into the home of her "estranged" stepmother in Detroit Lakes.

Following her arrest, Mitchell told police that she was at the property in search of her father's ashes and other keep-sakes, though she ultimately did not use this defense during her trial. Her lawyer instead stated that she had entered the property to check on her stepmother's well-being, and that her actions did not constitute burglary, the Associated Press reported.

Prosecutors, as reported by CBS News and the Associated Press, presented body camera footage of Mitchell telling officers, "I know I did something bad," and argued her recorded statements contradicted her trial defense. In closing arguments, Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald told the jury, "She said she was there to take items, and that readily proves her intent to commit a theft."

The Associated Press said that the senator displayed little in the way of emotion as her verdicts were read aloud. She faces a minimum of 180 days in jail for the convictions. As of Saturday, a sentencing date has yet to be set.

Governor Tim Walz's office told Axios it anticipates Mitchell’s resignation.