Federal Grand Jury Charges Man In Shocking Political Murders

MINNEAPOLIS (WJON News) -- A federal grand jury has handed down a six-count indictment against the man accused of the political assassinations of Democratic Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, along with the shootings of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.

The six counts include murder, attempted murder, and stalking charges.

Acting U.S Attorney Joseph Thompson says:

"Vance Boelter set out that night to commit a targeted political assassination. His targets were state Senator John Hoffman, state Representative Melissa Hortman and other politicians here in Minnesota. At least on the night of June 14th, he appears to have been targeting Democratic politicians."

Thompson says a letter was found in Boelter's abandoned car near his home in Green Isle.

"In his letter, he claims that Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota wanted him and approached him to about killing United States Senator Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. Boelter claims in the letter that he wanted nothing to do with Governor Walz's plan and that he would go public if he insisted."

Thompson says the letter was Boelter's fantasy and shows he was delusional. Thompson says the letter also includes Boelter's confession to the crimes.

All six counts carry a sentence of life in prison, with two of them adding the possibility of the death penalty.

Thompson says that the decision would be made at a later date by Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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