Man who killed Minnesota lawmaker and her husband pleads guilty in federal case
Prosecutors said the plea deal removes the death penalty and calls for multiple life sentences plus 40 years.
- Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday they will not seek the death penalty against Vance Boelter as part of a proposed plea agreement, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche authorized the decision.
- In June 2025, Boelter allegedly disguised himself as a police officer to shoot Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, State Sen. John Hoffman, and Yvette Hoffman in the early morning hours.
- A change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. in federal court in Minneapolis, after federal prosecutors and Boelter's attorneys conferred and requested the hearing.
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz previously described the shooting as what "appears to be a politically motivated assassination," and the plea deal arrives days before the one-year anniversary.
- This agreement concludes a case that authorities previously described as the largest search in Minnesota history, resolving federal and state murder and attempted murder charges against Boelter.
315 Articles
315 Articles
Vance Boelter pleads guilty to Hortman killings, Hoffman shootings
In this handout provided by Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Vance Luther Boelter poses for a booking photo on June 16, 2025 in Green Isle, Minnesota.Vance Boelter pleaded guilty on Thursday to the murders of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, one of Minnesota’s most consequential legislative leaders, and her husband, Mark, as well as the shooting of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. The shocking acts of violence nearly a year…
Vance Boelter Pleads Guilty To Political Assassinations Of Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman And Her Husband
Vance Boelter, 58, pleaded guilty Thursday in a Minneapolis federal courtroom to murdering former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in an act of targeted political violence. Boelter entered guilty pleas to all six federal counts, including two murder charges, two stalking charges, and two federal firearm-shooting offenses, according to the Department of Justice. Federal prosecutors confirmed they would not seek the d…
Suspect in Politically Motivated Killing of Minnesota Lawmaker Pleads Guilty in Deal That Avoids Death Penalty
Vance Boelter will receive two consecutive life sentences plus an additional 40 years in prison for the murder of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband
Minnesota lawmaker attacks: Vance Boelter pleads guilty to Hortman killings, Hoffman shootings
Vance Boelter pleaded guilty Thursday to the murders of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, the shooting of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and the attempted shooting of their daughter Hope Hoffman, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. In agreeing to the plea deal, Boelter, who pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking, two counts of murder and two counts of a firearms offense, will serve two conse…
Sydney Morning Herald
The AgeDressed as a cop, he arrived at a politician’s home and rang the doorbell. Then the killing began
A Minnesota man who spent months stalking Democrats before killing a top Minnesota politician and her husband has been spared the death penalty.
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