Trial of Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell Postponed After Lawmaker Shootings

The trial of Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell, charged with first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools for allegedly breaking into her stepmother's home in April 2024, has been postponed due to the fatal shootings of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the shooting of Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Jury selection, originally set for January and then February 2025, was delayed again following these politically motivated attacks, with court proceedings shifting to virtual hearings for continuance requests. Mitchell, who has pleaded not guilty, claims she entered the home to retrieve personal items connected to her recently deceased father, amidst complex family dynamics. Her defense emphasizes the need for a jury to understand these nuances and warns against prejudgment based on media coverage. The alleged assailant in the shootings, Vance Boelter, remains at large, and the Minnesota judicial system is navigating the impact of these events on ongoing legal processes. Meanwhile, Mitchell has faced political repercussions, including expulsion from her committee assignments, but has survived expulsion attempts from the Senate.