Vance Boelter to plead guilty to Minnesota lawmaker murders
by Lisa Hornung · UPIJune 11 (UPI) -- Vance Boelter, the man accused of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, will plead guilty in federal court Thursday after reaching a deal with prosecutors.
The Justice Department sent a letter Wednesday to federal judges John Tunheim and Dulce Foster that said there was a proposed plea agreement and requested a hearing for Boelter to change his not-guilty plea. Tunheim set a change-of-plea hearing for 10 a.m. CDT Thursday. The letter said the Justice Department would not seek the death penalty.
The public version of the letter didn't explain the terms of the agreement, The New York Times reported.
Boelter is accused of shooting and killing Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, her husband, Mark, and their dog, Gilbert. He is also accused of shooting and injuring State Sen. John A. Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette. He was allegedly dressed as a police officer when he visited their homes for the shootings on June 14, 2025. He was arrested after a two-day manhunt.
Boelter has pleaded not guilty to six federal charges, including murder, attempted murder, stalking and firearms charges.
"Prosecutors worked hard on this case to make sure he was held accountable to the fullest extent possible," Emily Covington, a Justice Department spokesperson, said in a statement Monday.
The Justice Department has said that its decision to not recommend the death penalty came because it determined that the stalking charges against Boelter wouldn't make him eligible, The Times reported. Under federal law, a person is eligible for capital punishment when a violent crime leads to murder. But it's unclear if court precedent says that stalking is a violent crime.
Minnesota has no death penalty, but the federal government does. The state is also pursuing prosecution of Boelter.
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