Democratic Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell on Tuesday refused to testify before the Ethics Committee regarding the theft charges she faces for allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s home last month.
Mitchell exercised his Fifth Amendment rights and did not speak during his appearance before the committee, which was made up of two Democrats and two Republicans.
However, the panel remained divided on Mr Mitchell’s future in Parliament following his indictment.
“Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s actions are a clear violation of Senate rules and have left the Minnesota Senate in a state of disbelief,” Republican Sen. Eric Lucero (St. Michael) told the Ethics Committee.
Details of 911 call records, Democratic Minnesota senator’s alleged burglary of stepmother’s house
Sen. Nicole Mitchell did not speak when she appeared before the Ethics Committee on Tuesday. (Minnesota State Senate)
Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, D-Minneapolis, who chairs the committee, told his colleagues it would be wise to wait until the accuracy of the evidence can be verified.
Senator Nicole Mitchell has been elected to represent the 47th District in the Minnesota State Senate in 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski, File)
Mitchell was removed from committee assignments and caucus after his arrest on April 22 at his stepmother’s home. The state senator was later charged with first-degree robbery.
Mitchell denied the charges and said he was just checking on a sick loved one.
Democratic Minnesota senator claims he was watching over loved one during robbery suspect
Mitchell admitted to breaking in through a window and told investigators he was trying to get his late father’s ashes, photographs, a flannel shirt and other items of sentimental value, according to a criminal complaint. , claimed that her stepmother stopped speaking to her after her father’s death. She died and refused to give her the item.
Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 47, was charged last month with first-degree robbery. Mitchell denies the charges. (Becker County Jail)
One of Mitchell’s attorneys, Bruce Ringstrom Jr., said she may enter a plea at her next court hearing, scheduled for June 10, but the process could be delayed. said. The decision means the committee will take no further action before Parliament’s May 20 adjournment deadline.
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Mitchell, a Woodbury native, has been representing the 47th District since being elected to the state Senate in 2022. He was previously a meteorologist for KSTP-TV and Minnesota Public Radio and served as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
