Man who killed top Minnesota lawmaker and her husband makes first state court appearance

Scott Bauer, Associated Press Scott Bauer, Associated Press The man serving two life terms plus 40 years after pleading guilty to federal charges related to killing a top Democratic lawmaker and her husband made his initial appearance Monday in state court where he faces similar charges. The state case against Vance Boelter had been on hold pending resolution of the federal case. Please check your inbox to confirm. Monday's procedural state court hearing came less than two weeks after Boelter's sentencing in federal court. He pleaded guilty to the federal charges related to the killing of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as critically wounding state Sen.

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Scoop News DeskMinnesota · Published Monday, August 3, 2026 at 9:53 PM UTCUpdated Monday, August 3, 2026 at 10:06 PM UTC

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The Hortman family's golden retriever was gravely injured in the shootings and had to be euthanized. In state court, Boelter faces two counts of murder for killing the Hortmans, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty. Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. "Does this court have the authority to bring her in to testify?" Boelter asked Hennepin County Judge Juan Hoyos. "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.