Vance Boelter, who is serving two life sentences plus 40 years after pleading guilty to federal charges, made his initial appearance in state court on Monday to face charges related to the killings of a top Minnesota lawmaker and her husband. The state case had been paused pending the resolution of the federal case.
Boelter's appearance comes less than two weeks after his sentencing in federal court. He had pleaded guilty in June to federal charges in connection with the killing of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the critical wounding of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. In exchange for the plea, federal prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.
During Monday's procedural hearing, Boelter, 59, informed Hennepin County Judge Juan Hoyos that over an eight-year period, he had met with Minnesota elected officials in Washington, D.C., including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Boelter asked the judge if Klobuchar could be brought in to testify, questioning if she was "above the law."
Boelter also asserted that his rights had been violated during the 14 months he has been in federal custody. The judge advised Boelter that his attorney could present any arguments related to his case at future hearings.
If convicted of the state charges, Boelter could face a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911. In the state court case, Boelter faces two counts of murder for the deaths of the Hortmans, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer, and animal cruelty. The Hortmans' golden retriever was severely injured during the shootings and subsequently euthanized.
The Hoffman family filed a personal injury lawsuit against Boelter in April. Boelter's next state court appearance is scheduled for September 2.