A Minnesota district court judge is considering whether to release police body-camera footage of the night state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, was arrested in Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Last year, Mitchell was arrested and charged with felony burglary after allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s house. In the months since, Alpha News has attempted to obtain the police body-camera footage of the night the DFL senator was arrested.
After an initial data request to the Detroit Lakes Police Department was rejected, Alpha News filed a lawsuit against the City of Detroit Lakes to obtain the footage. However, a Becker County district judge ruled that the rights of the accused in an ongoing criminal matter outweighed the public’s interest in viewing the recordings. As such, the footage stayed sealed.
In April, an appeals court reversed that decision and sent the matter back to the same district judge for reconsideration. On Monday morning, the matter was heard again with the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) representing Alpha News in court.
“This footage would give Minnesotans the information they need to hold elected officials accountable in the wake of Senator Mitchell’s arrest, no matter what happens at Senator Mitchell’s upcoming criminal trial,” said UMLC trial and appellate counsel Alexandra Howell in a statement after the hearing.
During court proceedings, an attorney representing the City of Detroit Lakes said the city does not have a position on the matter, but would like the judge to issue findings of fact related to the case no matter the ruling. After a few questions, the judge said the case would be considered and a ruling issued soon.
“As we explained to the Becker County Court in today’s hearing, Alpha News seeks to provide a great public service to the people of Minnesota by giving them access to footage from the arrest,” said Howell. “We remain committed to this fight for transparency and look forward to a decision from the District Court soon.”
A first-term lawmaker, Mitchell has continued to serve in the Minnesota Senate even as the criminal proceedings against her have unfolded. Earlier this year, a judge delayed Mitchell’s pending criminal trial in order to let the DFLer attend the legislative session. During that session, Republicans tried unsuccessfully to expel Mitchel from the Senate.
In recent months, prosecutors filled a second felony charge against Mitchell: possession of burglary tools.
Yesterday afternoon, Mitchell and the prosecutors she faces held a settlement conference to ostensibly determine if there is a resolution to this matter that does not involve a trial. At present, Mitchell’s felony burglary trial is scheduled to begin on June 16.
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.
