Minnesota man accused of killing state lawmaker faces fresh charges
The big picture: The new state charges against Vance Luther Boelter come after the 58-year-old pleaded not guilty in federal court last week in connection with the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, to charges including murder and stalking.
Hoffman is also accused of shooting and injuring state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, in what prosecutors alleged was a broader plot to target Democratic lawmakers.
He was facing state charges of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder, but Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty confirmed Thursday that her office had secured an indictment from a grand jury on upgraded charges.
Driving the news: Boelter now faces two counts of first-degree murder, four of attempted first-degree murder and charges of impersonating a police officer and felony cruelty to an animal over the shooting of a family dog, per a statement from Moriaty's office.
The attempted murder charges were brought against Boelter over the shooting of the Hoffmans and also in connection with the alleged targeting of state Rep. Kristin Bahner's home.
The new charges "reflect the weight" of the crimes Boelter has accused of, according to a statement from Moriarty.
"It does not matter that Rep. Bahner was not home at the time, as Mr. Boelter [allegedly] took a clear substantial step by going to her door and engaging in the same pattern of behavior as he did at both the Hoffman and Hortman homes," the Hennepin County attorney's office said.
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