ST. PAUL — Vance Boelter is set to make his first appearance in federal court Monday following his arrest Sunday in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses Saturday.

The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 16, in federal court in St. Paul. Boelter faces life in prison, or “even death,” acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said at a press conference Monday morning.

Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, allegedly disguised himself as a police officer when he assassinated former Speaker of the House Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, early Saturday morning, according to law enforcement.

He is also charged with the shooting of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who are in recovery.

Click the image above to view the PDF document.

Boelter is facing six federal charges: counts one and two for stalking public officials, counts three and four for the murder of the Hortmans using a firearm, and counts five and six for the shooting of the Hortmans and the Hoffmans using a firearm, Thompson said Monday.

Thompson said the stalking charges alone carry maximum penalties of 20 years, respectively, and that the charges with the murder of the Hortmans using a firearm are punishable by a maximum life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Thompson said state charges still stand as of now, but that the federal charges will be prosecuted first. Thompson confirmed Boelter is currently in federal custody with U.S. Marshals in the St. Paul Courthouse.

CONTINUE READING
RELATED ARTICLES