Female state senator's shocking CAT BURGLAR sideline emerges after clash with stepmother
The video – taken the night of the incident on April 22, 2024 – captures the dramatic moment police officers discovered Senator Nicole Mitchell in the basement of her stepmother's Detroit Lakes home.
Mitchell was found in an all–black outfit, carrying a flashlight. Her black garb and matching black hat has comically been compared to that of a cat burglar on social media. 'Apparently, Senator @NicoleMitchell watched a cartoon as to how to dress up as a cat burglar,' someone on X wrote.
Mitchell's felony burglary trial kicked off on July 15 and, during jury selection, Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald called into question the state senator's cartoon–like outfit, asking the 23 potential jurors, 'Would you agree that how the person was dressed is relevant to their intentions?' Many of the potential jurors nodded.
The bodycam footage revealed in court on Tuesday shows the moments leading up to officers' discovery of Mitchell in the basement.
Police entered the home of the stepmother – Carol Mitchell – after she made a 911 call reporting, 'Somebody's broken into my house.'
Upon arrival at the house, a seemingly terrified Carol directed them to the location of the intruder in the basement – where her stepdaughter was then discovered and handcuffed.
Following Mitchell's arrest upon discovery, the senator called out to her stepmom, 'It's Nicole. I was just trying to get some of my dad's things because you wouldn't talk to me anymore.'
When the police officer asked Carol how she knew the intruder, she replied, 'She's my stepdaughter. She's also a Minnesota senator.'
Mitchell's father Roderick died without a will in 2023, and a probate court awarded Carol Mitchell 100 percent of Roderick Mitchell's estate. This decision led to a familial dispute over the finances, with Carol accusing Mitchell of 'trying to get money.'
The police reportedly found a crowbar and a backpack containing two laptops on the scene and Mitchell was charged with felony first–degree burglary and possession of burglary tools.
Testimony for Mitchell's trial began on Tuesday, with Carol testifying that she felt 'extremely violated' when her home was broken into. 'It was frightening,' she said. 'I didn't dare to stay there. I moved out.'
Mitchell's defense attorney, meanwhile, is arguing that the senator broke into her house because she was concerned over her stepmother's declining health. Mitchell also told police on the scene that her stepmother has Alzheimer's and is 'paranoid'.
In court on Tuesday, Mitchell's defense attorney said, 'Losing a parent is always hard. For Nicole, her father Rod's death seemed to come too early, and it also came at a time when Carol was in decline.'
The attorney continued, 'By the time Nicole drove to Carol's in April of 2024, Nicole's dad had been dead for more than a year. A year of Carol throwing out, giving away, and donating Rod's things. For all Nicole knew, there may not have been any of Rod's personal belongings even left in the house. Nicole knew that Carol was declining and eventually Carol wouldn't be able to take care of herself.'
However, when Carol was asked if her stepdaughter cared about her safety or well–being, she told the court 'I don't believe so. Nicole never let me get close to her.'
Mitchell has pleaded not guilty to first–degree burglary and possession of burglary tools.
If convicted, she will face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. If found guilty of possession of burglary tools, she will face a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
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