MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman will lie in state in the Minnesota Capitol rotunda on Friday, coinciding with a court appearance by the man charged with her murder and the murder of her husband, Mark. This tragic incident also left a state senator and his wife wounded. Hortman, a Democrat, is set to become the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to receive this honor, lying in state alongside her husband and their golden retriever, Gilbert, who was seriously injured in the attack and later euthanized.
The public is invited to pay their respects from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, with the viewing being livestreamed on House TV. A private funeral service is scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m., which will be available to view on the Department of Public Safety’s YouTube channel.
Regarding the criminal case, the man accused of killing the Hortmans and wounding Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, is due in court at 11 a.m. Friday. Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, surrendered to authorities following the June 14 attack after what has been described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota's history. During the hearing, Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko is expected to determine whether Boelter should remain in custody without bail and confirm the probable cause to proceed with the case. A plea is not anticipated at this stage, as prosecutors seek a grand jury indictment before the arraignment.
Evidence presented in the federal complaint includes police video showing Boelter outside the Hortmans' home, capturing the sound of gunfire, and security footage of him approaching other lawmakers' homes dressed as a police officer. His lawyers have opted not to comment on the charges, which could potentially carry the federal death penalty. Minnesota, however, abolished its death penalty in 1911, and federal authorities have not prosecuted a death penalty case in the state in modern history. Boelter also faces independent murder and attempted murder charges in state court, which, if convicted, could result in life without parole.
Authorities reported Boelter shot and injured Senator Hoffman and his wife at their home in Champlin before killing the Hortmans a few miles away in Brooklyn Park. Furthermore, prosecutors allege that he also approached the residences of two other Democratic lawmakers and identified numerous other Democrats as potential targets, including officials from various other states. Friends of Boelter describe him as an evangelical Christian with conservative political views. However, prosecutors have not yet provided insight into his motive.
On Thursday, Boelter's wife, Jenny, shared a statement expressing her family's shock and heartbreak over the tragedy, conveying condolences to the families of the victims. She emphasized that the violence committed does not reflect their family values and described it as a betrayal of their Christian faith. Reports from an FBI agent’s affidavit indicate that the Boelters were "preppers," preparing for catastrophic incidents, and investigators seized 48 firearms from their home. Jenny added that despite initial reports, she was not pulled over by law enforcement and had cooperated fully with investigators after receiving a call from authorities.
This heart-wrenching event stands as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact such violence can have on communities and families alike. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on honoring the legacy of Melissa and Mark Hortman and ensuring justice is served for the tragic acts committed against them and others.
