Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell was convicted of felony burglary after being caught breaking into her stepmother’s home in April 2024. Her conviction comes after over a year of legal proceedings and bipartisan calls for her resignation. Mitchell faces a sentence ranging from six months to 20 years. Despite the criminal charges, some colleagues, including Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, supported her right to due process. Murphy stated that Mitchell had promised to resign if convicted, and she now expects her to uphold that commitment.

Mitchell claimed she entered the house to retrieve sentimental items that had belonged to her late father, including ashes, photographs, and clothing. She said her stepmother, Carol Mitchell, was suffering from Alzheimer’s and no longer communicated with her. During the trial, Mitchell admitted to trespassing and misleading police but insisted her intentions were rooted in concern for her stepmother’s well-being.

Police bodycam footage revealed Mitchell lying face-down during her arrest and confessing that she was attempting to get her father’s things. Officers discovered a black backpack containing laptops, a cellphone, her Senate ID, and other items, along with a flashlight covered with a sock—raising suspicion about her intentions. Carol Mitchell testified that she felt “extremely violated” by the break-in.

Prosecutors argued Mitchell had planned the incident deliberately, pointing to her strategic parking and behavior. Her defense countered that she was acting out of emotional distress and concern for a relative. Her status as a senator added further public scrutiny to the case.

In a separate, tragic incident last month, two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot, resulting in the death of State House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse. Governor Tim Walz labeled the event a targeted political attack and mourned the loss of a respected leader.