Testimony begins in Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s burglary trial in Detroit Lakes

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR) — The state has begun calling witnesses in the trial of state Senator Nicole Mitchell, arguing whether or not Mitchell committed an act of burglary.

“When the judge instructs you on the law at the end of this case, you’ll learn that any why won’t amount to a legal excuse. That is because no amount of grief or frustration can justify a home burglary,” said Brian McDonald, State’s Attorney.

“What matters for burglary is that they got in without permission, and they intended to commit a crime inside the building. Nobody should be convicted of burglary, because what they did makes you feel icky,” said Bruce Ringstrom Jr., Defense Attorney.

State’s Attorney, Brian McDonald, called on Becker County Sheriff’s Emergency Dispatcher Joseph David Robbins to the stand to go over the 911 call. In it, Carol Mitchell can be heard stating she had followed the person who was in her room. The body camera footage from Officer Joseph Sternhagen was played.

“I have never done anything like this, you’re going to find it out. I’m a military commander for god’s sake,” said Nicole Mitchell, State Senator.

Carol Mitchell was brought up to the stand to share her relationship with Mitchell and her husband. Carol explained that the night the burglary occurred, the figure she saw on the floor she thought was a “teenage boy.”

“Extremely violated. It was frightening. I didn’t dare to stay there. I moved out to high security living… I only just moved back after putting in a security system,” said Carol Mitchell, Stepmother of Nicole Mitchell.

Mitchell was brought into the courtroom by a close friend and did not want to appear on camera.