ST. PAUL, Minn. – In an unexpected move, the Democratic leadership jn the State Senate has removed Nicole Mitchell from committees and told her not to come to Democratic caucus meetings. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, D-St. Paul, announced the decision. Mitchell, D-Woodbury, is accused in Detroit Lakes of attempting to burglarize a relative’s house 1-1/2 weeks ago. As a crime against property, burglary legally is less serious than crimes against persons, which makes Murphy’s censureship curious: In the past the Senate leadership has turned a blind eye to other members’ drunken driving, which can have lethal consequences. Burglars don’t kill people
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Murphy: “This is a tragic situation, and there are still questions that need to be answered. The legal investigation is ongoing, and last week, we referred her case to the Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct. While the case is under review both in the Senate and in the courts, Senator Mitchell will be relieved of her committee assignments and removed from caucus meetings.”