The man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses in a targeted political attack, killing one couple, plans to plead not guilty, his attorney said Wednesday.
Vance Boelter, 57, was indicted Tuesday on six federal counts, including two for murder, as well as stalking and firearms violations. He’s accused of fatally shooting Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their dog early on June 14.
The Hortmans were Boelter’s last stop in a 90-minute rampage that allegedly began at the home of Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both of whom survived after being shot a total of 17 times. He also stopped at two other legislators’ homes along the way but did not make contact.
Boelter’s arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 12. His federal defender, Manny Atwal, did not comment Wednesday on possible defense strategies.
Following Tuesday’s indictment, prosecutors read a rambling letter Boelter had written to the FBI in which he admitted to the shootings but gave no motive other than vague “fantasy” allegations against Gov. Tim Walz, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Joe Thompson.
In court earlier this month, Boelter waived his right to full hearings on probable cause and pretrial detention in favor of waiting for a federal indictment, opting instead to remain behind bars without bail.
“Your honor, I’m looking forward to court, and looking forward to the facts about the 14th coming out,” Boelter told Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko. “That gets us to court faster, where the truth can come out.”
The killings launched the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history and ended nearly two days later with Boelter’s arrest near his farm in Green Isles, about 50 miles from the suburban Twin Cities shootings.
With News Wire Services
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