Judge lifts temporary gag order in state case against Vance Boelter
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A Hennepin County judge has lifted a temporary gag order on all parties involved in the state’s murder case against Vance Boelter, including Boelter himself.
Judge Juan Hoyos had issued that temporary order last week, pending a hearing to discuss the issue.
In the wake of that hearing, held Monday, Hoyos lifted the gag order, writing that “the continued restriction is not presently necessary.”
“The court expects all parties to exercise appropriate restraint and judgment in any statements concerning this proceeding,” Hoyos wrote. “Nothing in this order should be construed as an invitation to make inflammatory, misleading or otherwise improper statements relating to the case or the issues in the case.”
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Hoyos’ order notes the judge could reimpose the gag order or take other steps “to protect the integrity and fairness of these proceedings.”
Boelter is facing state charges after already pleading guilty in federal court to murdering former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and killing their dog, Gilbert, on June 14, 2025.
Boelter also pleaded guilty to shooting and injuring state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, as part of a larger plot against DFL lawmakers.
Boelter’s public defenders had initially requested a gag order against the Hoffman family and other potential witnesses. The Hoffmans spoke to the media after a court hearing Sept. 25 and criticized Boelter’s decision to claim self-defense in state court.
Prosecutors didn’t object to the defense’s request, but added that any gag order should include Boelter himself. Boelter, apparently with the assistance of an intermediary, has published ongoing commentary on his case and his ideology on Substack.
Boelter’s state trial is scheduled to begin on May 10, 2027. It was originally set for Nov. 2, but the judge granted a defense request to move it to next year.
