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Man pleads guilty to slaying top Democrat and her husband in Minnesota
TL;DR
A man in Minnesota has pleaded guilty to murdering Democratic House speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Vance Boelter faces two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in prison as part of a plea agreement.
Key points
- Vance Boelter pleaded guilty to killing Melissa Hortman and her husband.
- He impersonated a police officer to gain access to their home.
- The plea agreement includes a maximum sentence of two consecutive life terms plus 40 years.
Mentioned in this story
Melissa HortmanMark HortmanVance BoelterJohn HoffmanYvette HoffmanDemocratic PartyMinnesota
A man in Minnesota has pleaded guilty to killing the midwestern US state’s Democratic House speaker, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, after knocking on the door of their home while impersonating a police officer.
The 58-year-old suspect, Vance Boelter, pleaded guilty to murder on Thursday in exchange for an agreement with federal prosecutors not to seek the death penalty in the case. Boelter agreed to a maximum sentence of two consecutive life terms plus 40 years. The state has said that the agreement will not apply to its own case.
“Political violence is a scourge plaguing America,” US Attorney Daniel N Rosen told reporters. “Those that would commit political violence at any level should take heed: The Justice Department will seek and obtain the longest prison terms available for your crimes.”
Sobs were heard in the courtroom where the family of the Hortmans were present. Boelter also allegedly targeted Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both of whom were injured in the attack.
The slayings reverberated across the United States, where concerns about political violence targeting prominent individuals have grown in recent years.
Boelter wore a tactical uniform and drove a police-style SUV with flashing lights to the homes of several legislators, including one where he knocked but received no answer.
At yet another, he was scared off after being approached by a police officer who believed he was a fellow officer. Law enforcement later found a list in his vehicle with the names of 45 other state officials and legislators.
A courtroom sketch shows Vance Boelter, who is charged with killing the top Democrat in the Minnesota House and her husband and wounding a state senator and his wife, at a federal court in Minneapolis on August 7, 2025 [File: Cedric Hohnstadt/AP Photo]
Boelter offered a simple response of “yes” to several questions about his actions from his lawyer, including whether he had pressed a gun to the head of Melissa and fired.
Q&A
What was the motive behind the murder of Melissa Hortman and her husband?
The murder is part of a concerning trend of political violence targeting prominent individuals in the United States.
What sentence did Vance Boelter receive for the murders?
Vance Boelter agreed to a maximum sentence of two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in prison.
Who else was targeted in the attack besides Melissa Hortman?
Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also targeted and injured in the attack.
