US won't seek death penalty against Vance Boelter in Minnesota assassinations
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- U.S. prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case of Vance Boelter, charged with the political assassinations of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as attempted murders of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, under a plea agreement.
- Boelter, who disguised himself as a police officer during the June 14, 2025 attacks, faces federal and state charges; his state case is on hold pending the federal proceedings.
- Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911 and has never had a federal death penalty case, and federal law requires proving a "crime of violence" for death penalty eligibility, which is complicated by Boelter’s stalking charge.
- Prosecutors described the attacks as political, citing a handwritten letter from Boelter confessing to the shootings, though his motives remain unclear; Boelter had expressed conspiracy-related views in media messages.
- The attacks caused severe physical and psychological harm to the victims and their family, with ongoing legal action including a lawsuit filed by Sen. Hoffman detailing permanent injuries.