Lawmaker Shooting Trial

Vance Boelter pleads not guilty in lawmaker shootings as prosecutors seek evidence restrictions.

Vance Boelter, a 59-year-old Minn. man accused of murdering DFL state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and severely wounding DFL State Sen. John Hoffman in June 2025, has entered not guilty pleas to state charges. A judge accepted Boelters' demand for a speedy trial and postponed a ruling on restricting his access to evidence. Prosecutors are seeking a protective order to manage the discovery process after recent online posts were allegedly written by Boelater while he was in jail. Boeller's defense team has argued that he plans to argue reasonable use of force and justifiable taking of a life in the June 2025 shootings. Prosecutors have asked that the defense receive a copy of discovery materials within a framework to safeguard the privacy of victims and others.