University of St. Thomas School of Law Professor Mark Osler recently spoke to Minnesota Public Radio regarding the trial of state Sen. Nicole Mitchell. A Becker County judge has delayed Mitchell’s criminal burglary trial indefinitely, following the weekend shootings of two fellow Minnesota lawmakers.
From the story:
Mitchell is facing two felony burglary charges for allegedly breaking into the Detroit Lakes home of her stepmother. She allegedly told police she went there to retrieve items belonging to her late father.
University of St. Thomas law professor Mark Osler, a former state and federal prosecutor, told MPR News that the nature of the alleged crime makes this case unique among trials involving political figures.
“The fact that it’s kind of an intra family dispute underneath all of this does complicate it in terms of, you know, people can be conflicted about testifying,” Osler said. “You’ve got divided loyalties amongst other family members, and often mixed feelings all around and so it does complicate it in terms of the task of bringing forth testimony.”
