US EditionMan charged with killing a top Minnesota House Democrat is expected to plead not guilty
MINNESOTA, AUG 7 – Boelter faces multiple federal charges including murder and stalking after shootings targeting Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, amid evidence suggesting political motives, prosecutors said.
- Vance Boelter appeared in federal court on Thursday, August 7, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to charges including killing former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and injuring Rep. John Hoffman and his wife.
- On June 14, 2025, Vance Boelter allegedly disguised himself as a police officer and shot Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband in Brooklyn Park and wounded Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in Champlin.
- Evidence shows Boelter shot Sen. John Hoffman nine times and his wife eight times during the Champlin attack.
- Amid the court appearance, the Capitol bolstered security and reduced public entry points, with one of Boelter’s attorneys entering the not guilty plea during Thursday’s arraignment.
- Prosecutors have moved to designate the proceedings as a "complex case" so the trial may not occur until late 2026 or 2027, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says.
75 Articles
75 Articles
Duluth News Tribune
Suspect in shooting of Minnesota lawmakers pleads not guilty in federal court
MINNEAPOLIS — The suspect in the assassination of Minnesota’s House speaker and her husband, and the attempted murder of a state senator and his wife, pleaded not guilty to numerous charges in federal court on Thursday, Aug. 7, according to media accounts. Vance Luther Boelter, 58, of Green Isle, led police on a two-day manhunt after the June 14 shootings in New Hope. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster on Thursday and waived t…
Boelter pleads not guilty in lawmaker shootings
Vance Boelter pleaded "not guilty" in federal court Thursday morning, August 7, to charges he killed former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband after wounding Rep. John Hoffman and his wife. The plea was entered on Boelter's behalf by one of his attorneys during his arraignment.
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