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Boelter pleads guilty in lawmaker attacks, agrees to two life sentences

Vance Boelter pleaded guilty Thursday to murder, stalking and firearms crimes in connection with the killings of former Minnesota DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark as well the attack on DFL state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and their daughter Hope a year ago Sunday. 

Boelter’s plea agreement calls for him to serve two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years in exchange for prosecutors’ pledge not to seek the death penalty.

 it would not seek the death penalty for Boelter, 58. Officials are expected to speak to reporters later this morning.

 for the Thursday hearing, filed Wednesday, notes that Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche directed prosecutors not to seek the death penalty against Boelter “in accordance with the terms delineated in a proposed plea agreement.” 

According to court documents, Boelter disguised himself as a police officer and killed the Hortmans at their Brooklyn Park home early in the morning on June 14, 2025, about 90 minutes after attacking the Hoffmans at their home in Champlin. 

A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment in July charging Boelter with stalking, murder with a firearm and two other firearm-related crimes. 

Boelter also faces state charges of first-degree premeditated murder, which carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of release.

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Boelter’s plea agreement calls for him to serve two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years in exchange for prosecutors’ pledge not to seek the death penalty.


Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to schedule a change-of-plea hearing for Vance Luther Boelter, indicating the case may be moving toward a plea agreement rather than trial.

Boelter pleads guilty in lawmaker attacks, agrees to two life sentences

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