Sherburne County (trfnews.i234.me) – The man accused of the brutal June 14 shooting that left Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark dead, and Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette injured, has waived his rights to preliminary and probable cause hearings.
Vance Boelter, speaking to Judge Douglas L. Micko, said he looks forward to the truth coming out quickly by waiving the hearings.
A grand jury indictment is now the next legal step, which must occur within 30 days of his arrest, per Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson. Boelter faces federal charges including:
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Two counts of murder with a firearm (punishable by death)
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Two counts of firearm offenses
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Stalking charges involving both Hortman and Hoffman
Officials have not yet confirmed whether the death penalty will be pursued.
Boelter was captured after a two-day manhunt and remains jailed under constant lighting at Sherburne County Jail, where his lawyer previously claimed he was unable to sleep. Jail officials dispute that, saying video shows him resting “peacefully.”
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.