The long-anticipated burglary trial of State Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, began Monday with jury selection. The trial is expected to continue through the week and conclude on Friday.
In April 2024, Mitchell was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary after allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s Detroit Lakes home. In the months since, prosecutors have added a second felony charge (possession of burglary or theft tools), and GOP legislators have attempted to expel Mitchell from the Minnesota Senate.
Mitchell’s trial was scheduled to take place this January, but a judge delayed it to let the DFLer attend the legislative session. The trial was again delayed in June following the shootings that killed one state lawmaker and injured another. Mitchell has continued to serve, and vote, in the Senate while awaiting trial.
On Monday, the first-term lawmaker’s trial began with jury selection. According to court documents, potential jurors received a 10-page questionnaire in June which asked dozens of questions about many different topics.
Prospective jurors were asked about their marital status, education, occupation, hobbies, family relationships, and major interests. The questionnaire also asked the juror pool what church groups, clubs, political organizations, unions, and other groups they belonged to.
Inquiries about news consumption, internet usage, and past experiences with the criminal justice system were also included.
The outcome of the case will have major ramifications for Mitchell personally and the state Senate. Should Mitchell be convicted of first-degree burglary, she would face up to 20 years in prison, a $35,000 fine, or both.
In the Senate, Democrats have a one-seat majority (34-33). Should Mitchell be compelled to leave her seat following a conviction, the Senate would be evenly split between the GOP and the DFL. In turn, a special election would be called to fill Mitchell’s seat. The winner of that seat would determine which party controls the Senate.
The Senate seat in question, District 47, includes all of Woodbury and part of Maplewood. In 2022, Mitchell won the seat by roughly 17 points.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
