Minnesota State Senator Found Guilty of Burglary
Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell has been found guilty of felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. A jury in Becker County reached their decision on July 18, 2025, after deliberating for three hours.
The 50-year-old senator, from Woodbury, was accused of breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes on April 22, 2024. Witnesses reported that she was dressed in black and carried a flashlight covered with a sock.
Mitchell claimed she was checking on her stepmother, Carol, who is said to be suffering from Alzheimer’s. This reasoning contradicted her earlier statements made to police when they arrived after Carol called 911, reporting an intruder.
During the prosecution’s closing arguments, Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald highlighted police body cam footage, recalling a statement from Mitchell while in custody, where she acknowledged doing something wrong. He urged the jury not to trust her testimony, labeling it a “convenient” excuse from someone he described as an “admitted liar.”
McDonald expressed his satisfaction for Carol, noting that she had received some justice. Meanwhile, Mitchell’s defense attorney, Dane DeKrey, argued for leniency in her sentencing.
The presiding judge allowed Mitchell to remain free while awaiting her sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. Mitchell faces a minimum of 180 days in jail.
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy indicated that Mitchell had communicated to her colleagues her intention to resign if found guilty, and she expects Mitchell will uphold that commitment. Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson commented that the verdict highlights a failure to uphold the ethical standards expected from elected officials, suggesting that Mitchell’s involvement stains the Senate’s record.
