Decision to seek death penalty for Vance Boelter, if convicted, now rests with Justice Department

Sarah Nelson, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Apr 24, 2026

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MINNEAPOLIS — The decision over whether the U.S. government will seek the death penalty in the case of accused political assassin Vance Boelter is now in the hands of the Justice Department.

Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen on April 22 submitted his recommendation to Justice Department officials in Washington regarding a death sentence in the federal case against Boelter should he be convicted in the 2025 shootings against two state lawmakers and their families, according to a court filing, which did not specify what the recommendation was.

The submission was expected after an assistant U.S. Attorney said during Boelter’s last court appearance on April 17 that “within days,” Rosen would make his recommendation to the officials in Washington.

The final determination regarding a death sentence in the case requires approval from the U.S. attorney general, a decision that prosecutors estimated will arrive by Labor Day. U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster expressed concern about the prosecution’s pace in making the decision as the case enters its 10th month.

Foster asked prosecutors during a February hearing whether they expect any scheduling delays in the case after Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office saw a mass exodus of staff in mid-January amid fallout from Operation Metro Surge, including the lead prosecutor in Boelter’s case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Forbes said the resignations were not expected to negatively affect the prosecution.

Boelter is next scheduled to appear in court Oct. 16.

Boelter, of Green Isle, Minnesota, has pleaded not guilty to six federal charges tied to the June 14 shooting spree that resulted in the deaths of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, the wounding of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and the attempted injury of their daughter Hope.

According to the federal indictment against Boelter, he disguised himself as a police officer when he arrived at the lawmakers’ homes in the middle of the night. Court records released this week showed that law enforcement quickly identified him as a suspect. After a manhunt that stretched more than 40 hours, Boelter was arrested near his home.

He also faces state charges of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of impersonating a police officer and one count of felony animal cruelty in the killing of the Hortmans’ dog, Gilbert.

In a previous statement, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office is “ready to prosecute Mr. Boelter’s case immediately” as the one-year mark approaches since the shootings.