Bobby Joe Champion joins Mitchell defense team

It's apparent that Sen. Bobby Joe Champion can't wait to join disgraced DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell's defense team. That's essentially the role he played at last week's Senate Ethics Committee hearing last week, though he's officially listed as the Senate Ethics Committee chairman.  Officially, Bruce Ringstrom, Jr. is listed as Sen. Mitchell's defense attorney.

Ringstrom defended Mitchell, saying "This case belongs in court. Then it can be dealt with by this subcommittee." That sounds reasonable if you don't pay attention to details. A criminal trial determines legal guilt or innocence. Ethics committees are there to determine whether a member of the legislature violated House or Senate rules in terms of conduct.

The Strib is reporting "Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, accused Republicans of "making a giant leap because you're trying to get to a conclusion. You're assuming things that you don't know," Champion said, adding that all evidence should be tested in court."

Mitchell's goose is cooked

It's highly unlikely that Sen. Mitchell will get out of this barring DFL behind-the-scenes interference. We've seen the police report. This is what WCCO is reporting:

The criminal complaint says Mitchell was found in the basement of her stepmother's home just before 5:00 a.m. Monday wearing all black clothing and a black hat. In a Facebook post, Mitchell denied stealing and says she was checking on a loved one with Alzheimer's.

What a farce. Let's hear her explanation for why she left her Woodbury home at 1:00 am, got to Detroit Lakes around 4:00 am and was found in her stepmother's home dressed in black from head-to-toe. This is KARE11's report on the hearing:

Technically, it's true that the trial court hasn't issued a finding of facts document. That's for criminal trials, though, where convictions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Ethics violations require finding probable cause whether a violation of Senate rules was committed.

Making History?

Finally, if I had to bet, I'd bet that she'll accept a plea deal in the hopes of staying in the Senate. At that point, expect Sen. Mitchell to make history as the first state senator to be expelled. The other possibility is that she'd resign before getting expelled.

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