The Minnesota man accused of killing the state’s top lawmaker and her husband in June will make his first formal federal court appearance on Thursday.
Vance Boelter, 57, was indicted on federal murder charges last month for allegedly killing democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their Brooklyn Park home on June 14. He faces six counts in total, including firearms offenses and stalking.
His attorney, public defender Manny Atwal, has indicated Boelter will plead not guilty. If convicted, Boelter could face the death penalty, although this is yet to be decided.
Thursday’s arraignment hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster is expected to set out a timeline for the case, possibly including a date for Boelter’s trial. Prosecutors have said the complex case involves a huge amount of evidence, including video footage, responses to grand jury subpoenas and information from digital devices.
