The man who was charged with the political assassinations of a top Minnesota Democrat and her husband pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday, following a plea agreement in which he would not face the death penalty.
On June 14, 2025, Vance Boelter was charged with murdering Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, along with shooting state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, who both survived.
Federal prosecutors recommended a sentence of two consecutive life terms plus 40 years, which was accepted by Judge John Tunheim. Both the Hoffmans and several members of Boelter’s family were present in the courtroom on Thursday. Prosecutors announced Wednesday evening that they would not seek the death penalty for Boelter.
“The Attorney General has authorized and directed the government not to seek the death penalty against Defendant Vance Luther Boelter in accordance with the terms delineated in a proposed plea agreement,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Matthew D. Forbes wrote in a letter to the court on Wednesday.
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. He originally entered a not guilty plea to the charges, with acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson one day after Boelter’s arrest, as at least two of the charges carry the possibility of the death penalty.
Boelter shot and killed Hortman and her husband nearly a year ago.
That same night, Boelter also shot Hoffman nine times and his wife eight times. Both survived but suffered serious injuries.
PROSECUTORS WON’T SEEK DEATH PENALTY IN MINNESOTA DEMOCRAT’S ASSASSINATION
Boelter came to the lawmakers’ doors in the middle of the night, disguised as a police officer while driving a fake squad car. Boelter was captured the next day near his home after an extensive search.
Prosecutors allege the attack was politically motivated after releasing what they said was a confession letter Boelter sent to FBI Director Kash Patel, which acknowledged responsibility for the attacks.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.