Federal prosecutors have informed a judge about a plea deal with Vance Boelter. He is accused of killing Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, last year. This attack was politically motivated. Prosecutors stated they would not pursue the death penalty.
The Justice Department submitted a letter outlining the proposed plea agreement. They requested a hearing where Mr. Boelter would change his plea from not guilty. The letter did not specify the agreement’s terms. Mr. Boelter faced charges in both federal and state courts. He was accused of fatally shooting State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and wounding State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife.
Mr. Boelter’s legal team did not respond to requests for comments. The Justice Department did not respond either. Judge John R. Tunheim scheduled a change of plea hearing for Thursday morning.
Officials from the Justice Department decided against recommending the death penalty. They explained that stalking charges might not qualify Mr. Boelter for capital punishment. Federal law allows the death penalty for violent crimes leading to murder with a firearm. Doubts remain if stalking is a violent crime under court precedent.
“Prosecutors worked hard on this case to make sure he was held accountable to the fullest extent possible,”
Emily Covington, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said on Monday.
Although Minnesota has no state death penalty, federal prosecutors initially considered it. The plea deal’s effect on the state court case is unclear. Mr. Boelter allegedly targeted Minnesota legislators, disguised as a police officer, leading to a manhunt. Documents found in Mr. Boelter’s SUV included names of political figures.
Melissa Hortman, formerly the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, was a lawyer and veteran legislator. She contributed to major legislation in 2023. These laws expanded abortion rights, legalized recreational marijuana, and mandated paid family leave for employees. Mark Hortman, her husband, worked in electrical manufacturing. Friends remembered him as a supportive political spouse and sports enthusiast.
Mitch Smith, a national correspondent based in Chicago for The Times, covers the Midwest and Great Plains.