MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The man serving two life terms plus 40 years after pleading guilty to federal charges related to killing a top Democratic lawmaker and her husband made his initial appearance Monday in state court where he faces similar charges. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The state case against Vance Boelter had been on hold pending resolution of the federal case. He was arrested on June 15, 2025. Boelter is charged with killing Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman. He is also charged with wounding a state senator and his wife.
Hortman's son Colin Hortman and his wife Alina Bachman Hortman attended the court hearing on Monday and later left. Their exit from the courtroom was captured in photos taken by AP photographer Ellen Schmidt.
In the federal case, Boelter was sentenced to two life terms plus an additional 40 years in prison. He now also faces similar charges at the state level.
This incident is widely discussed in Minnesota as a serious crime against political figures. The legal process continues.