Vance Boelter, the man charged with killing a Minnesota Democratic lawmaker and her husband last year, was sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years after pleading guilty last month.
Boelter, 59, pleaded guilty in June in a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty after initially entering a not guilty plea following his arrest. Last year, Boelter was indicted on six federal charges, including stalking, murder through the use of a firearm, and other charges related to the killings of Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman.
U.S. District Court Judge John R. Tunheim said Boelter’s sentencing was “the longest sentence I have imposed after hearing thousands of cases over the years, but I do believe it is deserved.”
The Hortman’s family expressed anger that prosecutors did not pursue the death penalty.
“It will not offer me peace of mind that he will have room and board provided for the rest of his life, paid for by my tax dollars,” said Lisa Hortman Bean, Mark Hortman’s sister.
In June 2025, Boelter shot and killed Melissa Hortman and her husband in the middle of the night after earlier shooting Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, multiple times, though both survived with severe injuries. Boelter also killed the Hortmans’ golden retriever, Gilbert.
“The defendant looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger. The defendant looked at my wife and chose to do the same,” Hoffman said. “My wife and I now live with injuries. We live with our bodies remembering the gunfire.”
Boelter rang the Hortmans’ doorbell and shouted that he was a police officer doing a welfare check, according to court documents. He first shot Mark Hortman multiple times, killing him. Boelter then shot and killed Melissa Hortman as she fled upstairs.
“I will never forget looking down and watching my blood slowly stream down that white washing machine as I felt myself sinking to the floor,” Yvette Hoffman said. “We always have an escape plan now. This isn’t how people should live.”
PROSECUTORS WON’T SEEK DEATH PENALTY IN MINNESOTA DEMOCRAT’S ASSASSINATION
“Today’s sentence ensures that this violent criminal will spend the rest of his life in federal prison for his calculated and heinous acts of violence against Minnesota public servants and their families,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. “Political violence is an attack not only on its immediate victims, but also on our communities, our democratic institutions, and the rule of law. The Justice Department will continue to use every available resource to investigate, prosecute, and hold accountable those who target public officials and engage in acts of violence.”
In April, Hoffman and his family filed a personal injury lawsuit against Boelter. He also faces additional state charges, which include two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer, and animal cruelty.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
