A federal judge on Thursday sentenced 59-year-old Vance Boelter to two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in prison for the 2025 murders of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, Mark Hortman. Boelter previously pleaded guilty to federal charges in June to avoid the death penalty as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.
During the sentencing hearing in Minneapolis, survivors and family members provided victim impact statements. State Senator John Hoffman (DFL) and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, who were both wounded during the attacks, described the physical and psychological effects of the shooting. Family members of Mark Hortman expressed dissatisfaction with the plea deal, stating they preferred a death sentence for the defendant.
Boelter admitted to stalking his targets for months and wearing a police disguise to gain access to their homes. U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim described the sentence as the longest he has imposed in his career. Federal defender Manny Atwal stated that Boelter's guilty plea demonstrated remorse, and Boelter offered an apology to those affected during the proceedings.