A man in Minnesota is planning to enter a not guilty plea to charges of killing the top Democratic leader in the state House and her husband, as well as wounding another lawmaker and his wife, according to his attorney. Vance Boelter, aged 57, is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on September 12 following a late Tuesday order, issued shortly after a grand jury indicted him on six counts including murder, stalking, and firearms violations. The murder charges could potentially result in the federal death penalty.
During a news conference on Tuesday, prosecutors revealed a lengthy handwritten letter purportedly written by Boelter to FBI Director Kash Patel, confessing to the June 14 shootings of Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. However, the motive behind targeting the couples was not clearly outlined in the letter.
Boelter’s federal defender, Manny Atwal, stated via email that the serious charges did not come as a surprise. Atwal mentioned that the indictment initiates the process of receiving evidence for evaluation of the case. She did not immediately comment on any potential defense strategies on Wednesday.
Although a trial date of November 3 has been set in the scheduling order, Atwal expressed skepticism that it would occur so soon, given the substantial amount of evidence gathered that requires evaluation by both sides. The possibility of a death sentence further complicates the case.
Acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Joe Thompson, reiterated that the death of the former House speaker was viewed as a “political assassination,” and the attack on Sen. John Hoffman as an “attempted assassination.” However, Thompson stated that a decision on seeking the death penalty would take several months and ultimately be made by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, following input from various sources.
Despite being described as an evangelical Christian with conservative political views, Boelter’s motivations for the violent acts remain unclear. He allegedly had lists of politicians and law firms, predominantly Democrats, but denied that the shootings were related to his stance on abortion or support for President Donald Trump.
Prosecutors claim that Boelter disguised himself as a police officer and used a fake squad car to carry out the attacks in June. He allegedly shot the senator and his wife multiple times, both of whom survived, before going to the Hortmans’ home to fatally shoot them. Boelter was later found surrendering near his rural home, where investigators located the letter to the FBI director in his abandoned car.
Authorities have initiated the most extensive manhunt for a suspect in Minnesota’s history.
