Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell’s burglary trial testimony gets underway

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KTTC) – Testimony is underway in the trial of state DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell, accused of breaking into her stepmother’s home in spring of 2024.

Mitchell is charged in Becker County with first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools.

She’s accused of breaking into her stepmother’s home in April 2024. Mitchell initially posted a statement on social media saying she went to check on the 74-year-old and startled her. This happened around 4:30 in the morning.

Court documents later reveal Mitchell was dressed in all black and had a black sock over a flashlight. Her stepmother tripped on her while Mitchell was lying near her bed. The documents say Mitchell told police she went there to collect some of her late father’s items, including his ashes.

Opening statements were relatively brief Tuesday by both Becker County attorney Brian McDonald and Mitchell’s defense attorney Bruce Ringstrom, Jr.

McDonald urged the jurors to look at the evidence and use common sense when it comes to rendering a verdict.

“Grief and frustration do not justify burglary,” McDonald said. “Use your common sense and good judgment as you listen to evidence throughout this case. Trust your eyes. Believe what you see and hear on those body camera videos. Do not get distracted.”

Ringstrom, Jr. said Mitchell admitted that she entered the house unwelcomed, but she did not commit the crime of burglary. He said she was checking on her stepmother who has Alzheimer’s and Mitchell was concerned about her.

“What matters for burglary is that they got in without permission and they intended to commit a crime inside the building,” Ringstrom, Jr. said. “Unless the state’s evidence can rule out that Nicole Mitchell entered the residence just to check on Carol, then the verdict must be not guilty.”

Dispatcher Joseph Robbins was first to the stand and detailed the 911 call he received that morning from Carol Mitchell.

Carol Mitchell told dispatch that someone, who she believed to be a man, had broken into her home and was at the foot of her bed.

Detroit Lakes police officer Joseph Sternhagen testified that he was one of the first responders to the scene after the 911 call came into dispatch. His body camera video was shown in court.

On the video, Mitchell can be seen wearing a black shirt, pants, and a black hat. Officers ordered her to put her hands behind her back and get to get to the ground, to which she complies.

Mitchell can be heard on the video telling her stepmother, “Carol, it’s Nicole. I was just trying to get a couple of my dad’s things because you wouldn’t talk to me anymore.”

Carol Mitchell can be heard telling police that Mitchell has stolen documents before. Mitchell then said “I didn’t steal any documents! Why would I steal documents?”

Mitchell is expected to testify in her down defense. Carol Mitchell did testify Tuesday but opted not to be on camera.

Testimony will resume Tuesday morning in Detroit Lakes.

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