The man already sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years in federal prison for killing a top Minnesota lawmaker and her husband made his first appearance in state court Monday, less than two weeks after his federal sentencing.
Vance Boelter, 59, pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from the killing of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the critical wounding of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Boelter agreed to the federal guilty plea in June, nearly a year after the Minneapolis-area attacks, in exchange for federal prosecutors not seeking the death penalty.
The state case had been on hold pending resolution of the federal case. In state court, Boelter now faces two counts of murder for killing the Hortmans, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer, and animal cruelty. The Hortman family's golden retriever was gravely injured in the shootings and had to be euthanized. If convicted on the state charges, Boelter could face mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole. Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911.
Monday's hearing was procedural, but Boelter spoke directly to Hennepin County Judge Juan Hoyos. He told the judge that over a span of eight years he had met with Minnesota elected officials in Washington, D.C., including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. "Does this court have the authority to bring her in to testify?" Boelter asked the judge. "Or is she above the law?"
Boelter also told the judge that his rights had been violated during the 14 months he has been in federal custody, the Star Tribune reported. Judge Hoyos told Boelter that any arguments he wants to make about his case could be made at future hearings by his attorney.
Hoffman and his family filed a personal injury lawsuit against Boelter in April. Boelter's next state court appearance is set for Sept. 2.
