The case involving Minnesota state Senator Nicole Mitchell has drawn attention due to the unusual requests made by the Becker County Attorney’s Office. Mitchell was arrested in April after breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes.
Initially, Mitchell claimed she went to check on her 74-year-old stepmother, but court documents revealed she was dressed in black with a flashlight, which her stepmother tripped on. Mitchell told police she went to collect her late father’s belongings, including his ashes.
In a hearing on Tuesday, the Becker County Sheriff requested that the defense be prohibited from suggesting a lesser offense, such as trespassing, during the trial. The prosecution also asked that Mitchell not be referred to as senator in front of the jury, arguing it could lead to potential bias.
Despite calls for Mitchell’s resignation from both Republican and Democratic leaders, she has not stepped down. She is scheduled for a hearing on January 14th, coinciding with the start of the Minnesota legislative session.