Vance Boelter, the man accused of carrying out a deadly attack on two Minnesota lawmakers and their families, is expected to plead not guilty in a federal court. Boelter, 57, from Green Isle, was indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple charges, including stalking, murder, and using a firearm during the violent incidents that took place on June 14.
His attorney, Manny Atwal, said they plan to enter a not guilty plea during an arraignment hearing scheduled for September 12 at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis. The indictment allows the case to move forward at the federal level, and the court will now begin the process of sharing evidence, known as discovery, between prosecutors and the defense team.
The attack led to the deaths of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home. In a separate but related incident, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their suburban residence. Their daughter, Hope, was also shot at but managed to avoid injury after her parents pushed her out of harm’s way.
Prosecutors have described the shootings as politically motivated, calling the attack an act of “political extremism.” However, a clear motive has not yet been confirmed. During earlier court appearances, Boelter hinted that he wants to share more information about what happened, especially around the events of June 14. At one hearing in St. Paul, he chose not to participate in the proceedings that day, saying he looks forward to a trial where “truth” and “facts” will come out.
His statements in court and some of his personal writings have raised questions about his mental health. While Atwal hasn’t said whether they will pursue a mental health defense, legal experts believe it could be a possibility. Rick Petry, a law professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, explained that using a mental health defense involves several steps. First, Boelter would need to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial.
If the court finds Boelter unfit, the trial could be delayed or moved to a mental health court. If he is found competent, the defense might argue that Boelter was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the shootings and didn’t understand what he was doing. However, Petry noted that using this defense is very difficult and requires strong evidence. “There are built-in checks in the legal system to make sure any mental health claim is carefully examined,” he said.
So far, Boelter has been charged with six federal crimes. Two of those charges are serious enough that they could result in the death penalty if he is found guilty. That decision, however, is not final yet. Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said any move toward seeking the death penalty would require approval from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Boelter was arrested by state troopers in Sibley County on June 15, the day after the shootings. A photo released by law enforcement showed his arrest, although officers’ faces were blurred for privacy reasons.
As the case moves forward, more details are expected to come out in court. For now, Boelter remains in custody as both the prosecution and defense prepare for what could be a long and complex legal battle.
