Suspect in Killing of Minnesota Lawmaker Strikes a Plea Deal
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Federal prosecutors have reached a plea deal with Vance Boelter, accused of assassinating Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband in a politically motivated attack last year.
- The Justice Department informed the judge that Boelter may change his plea from not guilty and confirmed they would not seek the death penalty in this case.
- Boelter also faces charges for shooting and wounding State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
- Prosecutors decided against pursuing the death penalty after determining that stalking charges against Boelter likely do not qualify as violent crimes under current legal standards.
- The terms of the plea agreement have not been publicly disclosed, and the case remains under development.