Latest news with #CarolMitchell
Fox News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Blue state Democratic lawmaker set to resign after felony burglary conviction: report
NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! A state senator in Minnesota plans to resign after she was convicted Friday of felony burglary stemming from a 2024 break-in at her stepmother's home. State Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 51, will vacate her position by early Aug. 4, the Associated Press confirmed, citing her attorney. She represents State Senate District 47, in the suburbs east of St. Cloud, and is part of the Democratic Farm-to-Labor Party (DFL). She was also found guilty of a second felony, possession of burglary tools. DEM STATE SENATOR CAUGHT ON BODYCAM ADMITS 'I'M NOT GOOD AT THIS' DURING ALLEGED HOME BREAK-IN In the next week-and-a-half, she will reportedly "wrap up her legislative duties" before officially ending her service. Mitchell was arrested on April 22, 2024, and claimed that she had entered her stepmother Carol Mitchell's Detroit Lakes home to retrieve her late father's ashes and other belongings, which she said Carol would not hand over. Police bodycam footage from her arrest shows her sitting in the back of the police cruiser and telling an officer she was "just trying to get some of my dad's things." "Clearly, I'm not good at this," she said during her arrest. During her trial, she reportedly testified that she did trespass at the home, but did not intend to steal anything. Rather, she said she was checking in on Carol, who had Alzheimer's disease. MURDERED DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER'S HOME BROKEN INTO JUST DAYS AFTER FATAL SHOOTING Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, herself a member of the DFL, called for Mitchell's resignation upon her conviction. "Senator Mitchell has been afforded due process, a trial by a jury of her peers, and that jury has delivered a verdict. I am relieved to see the end of Senator Mitchell's trial. The case's resolution brings clarity to the situation," Murphy said. "Senator Mitchell has told colleagues that she intended to resign if found guilty of this crime, and I expect her to follow through on that pledge. Our caucus remains focused on the issues that matter to Minnesotan families and communities." State Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson is pushing for Mitchell's immediate resignation, instead of waiting until Aug. 4. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Senator Mitchell was convicted of two felonies; she doesn't get to give the Senate two weeks' notice," he reportedly said. "The only reason Mitchell is still in office is because Democrats needed her vote to pass their agenda and refused to hold her accountable during session." Mitchell did not immediately return a comment request.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Minn. State Senator Found Guilty of Breaking Into Her Stepmother's House
NEED TO KNOW Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell was found guilty of felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools She broke into her stepmother's home in Detroit Lakes, Minn., in 2024 She faces a mandatory minimum of 180 days in jailMinnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell was found guilty of felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools for breaking into her stepmother's home in Detroit Lakes, Minn., by a Becker County jury on Friday, July 18. Mitchell, 50, who is from Woodbury, Minn., allegedly broke into the home on April 22, 2024, dressed in black and equipped with a flashlight covered with a sock, per local news outlet MPR News. The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for about three hours after getting the case at 12:38 p.m. local time on July 18. The state senator claimed that she entered her stepmother's house without permission for a welfare check on Carol Mitchell, who allegedly has Alzheimer's disease. This was contrary to what she told police officers who arrested her after Carol called 911 to report an intruder at the time, the outlet reports. Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald brought up the police body cam footage during his closing arguments. He began by repeating a statement Mitchell made while in police custody: "I know I did something bad.' McDonald added, 'Now she wants to lie about it.' He continued, 'This is convenient testimony by an admitted liar. Ladies and gentlemen, do not buy it.' The Becker County attorney concluded that he was "pleased for Carol Mitchell, for some justice." Mitchell's Defense attorney Dane DeKrey said his team said there are "arguments for mercy" in Nicole Mitchell's sentencing. The judge overseeing the trial said Mitchell could remain free pending sentencing. A date for sentencing has not yet been set, per CBS News. She faces a mandatory minimum of 180 days in jail, the outlet reports. Take PEOPLE with you! to get the latest details on celebrity news, exclusive royal updates, how-it-happened true crime stories and more — right to your mailbox. Democratic Minn. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said Mitchell "has told colleagues that she intended to resign if found guilty of this crime, and I expect her to follow through on that pledge." Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson said the verdict confirms Nicole Mitchell's actions "failed to meet the level of ethical behavior we expect from elected officials, and her continued participation in the Minnesota Senate leaves the body with a stain on its record for every time her vote was the deciding vote in passing legislation." Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
State senator found guilty in cat burglary case after shocking footage showed her robbing stepmother
A Minnesota state senator was convicted of burglary after she was caught breaking into the home of her estranged stepmother. Democratic lawmaker Nicole Mitchell, 51, was found guilty of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools in court on Friday. Mitchell was caught in the act while dressed in all black while at her stepmother's home in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes in April of last year. She told police that she went there to search for her father's ashes and other mementos, but tried to back away from that story on the witness stand. Footage of her arrest, shown earlier this week, showed her telling police, 'Clearly, I'm not good at this,' and 'I know I did something bad.' The former broadcast meteorologist and now-retired Air National Guard officer was convicted of one count of first-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling, a felony that carries a mandatory minimum of six months in jail if there's an intent to steal. Mitchell's father Roderick died in 2023 at the age of 72. He had been married to Mitchell's stepmother, Carol Mitchell, for nearly 40 years. She testified on Thursday that, despite what she told the cops, she didn't intend to take anything. She testified her stepmother was afraid of being put in a nursing home. Mitchell said she thought her stepmom would be less upset to hear she wanted some of her father's items than to have her competency questioned. Mitchell said she had become increasingly concerned about her stepmother's worsening memory problems and paranoia, and wanted to check on her well-being. She was also convicted on a count of possessing burglary tools, a lesser felony without a mandatory minimum. The prosecution, led by Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald urged jurors Friday to focus on 'the many lies of Nicole Mitchell'. He told the jury to evaluate her testimony with reason and common sense. And he urged them to review the video showing what she told police after her arrest. He said: 'I submit to you she was telling the truth on April 22nd, 2024. And if you believe that she was telling the truth to the officers, then you know she had the intent to steal. She told you. She told the officers.' Defense attorney Bruce Ringstrom Jr. told the jury that Mitchell did not steal anything and did not intend to. He conceded that she used poor judgment. He said everybody has told 'white lies,' and that Mitchell's goal was to avoid aggravating her stepmother´s distrust even further. 'We all know the difference between a white lie and a meaningful, damaging one,' Ringstrom said. 'The problem is that this happened in the context of something that was a terrible mess, a mess that Nicole made. But it was a mess.' Police entered the home of her stepmother 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.' Officers reportedly found a crowbar and a backpack containing two laptops on the scene. Mitchell's father died without a will and a probate court awarded Carol 100 percent of his estate. This decision led to a familial dispute over the finances, with Carol accusing Mitchell of 'trying to get money.' In her testimony, Carol said 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.' Democratic Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy was quick to issue a statement saying that Mitchell has told colleagues that she planned to resign if convicted. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson reiterated the GOP's long-standing demand for immediate resignation or face expulsion. Gov. Tim Walz's office said he expects her to resign. But one of Mitchell's attorneys, Dane DeKrey, said in text messages to the Associated Press that he didn't know if she would heed the calls. He said they're exploring their options for an appeal. If she resigns, the governor would schedule a special election. His office said it would provide more information soon. Mitchell's district mostly votes Democratic. The Harris-Walz ticket carried it with 61% of the vote last year.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
State Sen. Nicole Mitchell takes the stand in her burglary trial
State Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who is accused of burglarizing her stepmother's Detroit Lakes home, has taken the stand on the third day of testimony. Nicole Mitchell pleaded not guilty to felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary theft or tools. She said she was at the home on April 22, 2024 to retrieve some of her late father's items, as well as check on her stepmother, who she said has Alzheimer's. Her defense team did not dispute that Nicole Mitchell entered the home without consent, but her intent was to check on her stepmother. "A burglar runs — a concerned child stays," said defense attorney Bruce Ringstrom Jr. during opening statements Tuesday. Nicole Mitchell's stepmother Carol Mitchell testified on the first day of the trial, saying she felt "extremely violated" when her home was broken into. When the defense team asked her if Nicole Mitchell cared about her well-being, Carol Mitchell said "I don't believe so," adding that "Nicole never let me get close to her." The prosecution also showed police body camera video of Nicole Mitchell's arrest. Video shows Nicole Mitchell dressed in all black, and after Carol Mitchell accuses her of stealing documents, Nicole Mitchell says "no one stole anything here." As an officer leads Nicole Mitchell into his squad car, she tells him that her stepmother "progressively cut off the family" due to paranoia caused by Alzheimer's. In the video, Nicole Mitchell tells the officer that she got into the house through the basement window and "just wanted to get a couple of [her] dad's mementos." Nicole Mitchell was first elected in 2022, and represents parts of Maplewood and Woodbury. She survived multiple attempts from her Republican Senate colleagues to expel her from the chamber, but the DFL Caucus removed her from committee assignments and caucus meetings after she was arrested. WCCO will offer special, extended coverage of Mitchell's trial online and on CBS News Minnesota.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Defense to present case in day 3 of Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell burglary trial
The burglary trial of Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell goes into its third day on Thursday, and could soon go to the jury. The Woodbury Democrat is accused of burglarizing the Detroit Lakes home of her stepmother, Carol Mitchell, on April 22, 2024, and is charged with felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools. The senator pleaded not guilty and has said she was in the home to retrieve some of her late father's items, as well as check on her stepmother, who lives with Alzheimer's disease. The prosecution wrapped its case on Wednesday, and the defense will present its case on Thursday. It's still unknown whether Nicole Mitchell will take the witness stand herself. On Wednesday, Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald rested his case after showing new body camera video of the senator's stepmother, Carol Mitchell, telling officers what happened. "I couldn't figure out what woke me, if it was a loud sound or if what," Carol Mitchell told an officer in the body camera video. "I stepped down and I stepped on a body." Police say that body was Nicole Mitchell. Prosecutors claim she was caught "red handed" breaking into her stepmother's home last year. The defense disagrees, claiming the senator went to the home early that morning concerned about her stepmother. They showed text messages between Nicole Mitchell and other family members raising their concerns. Nancy Lund, Nicole Mitchell's aunt, testified that Carol Mitchell was forgetting things. "She was having a lot of trouble trying to keep things together and concern that she would be a vulnerable adult who could be taken advantage of," Lund said. The defense plans to call a handful of other witnesses on Thursday, which means they could soon wrap up their case. The trial reconvenes Thursday at 9 a.m. The trial saw two delays before finally beginning this week — one until after the legislative session at Nicole Mitchell's request and another following the June shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. Nicole Mitchell has survived multiple expulsion attempts by her Republican Senate colleagues, but the body's DFL Caucus did remove her from committee assignments and caucus meetings days after her arrest. WCCO will offer special, extended coverage of Mitchell's trial online and on CBS News Minnesota.
