Biden pays respects as former Minnesota House Speaker Hortman, killed in shooting, lies in state
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former President Joe Biden joined thousands of mourners Friday as former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman lay in state in the Minnesota Capitol rotunda while the man charged with killing her and her husband, and wounding a state senator and his wife, made a brief court appearance in a suicide prevention suit.
Hortman, a Democrat, is the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans accorded the honor. She lay in state with her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever, Gilbert. Her husband was also killed in the June 14 attack, and Gilbert was seriously wounded and had to be euthanized. It was the first time a couple has lain in state at the Capitol, and the first time for a dog.
The scene at the Capitol
The Hortmans' caskets and the dog's urn were arranged in the center of the rotunda, under the Capitol dome, with law enforcement officers keeping watch on either side as thousands of people who lined up filed by. Many fought back tears as they left.
Among the first to pay their respects were Gov. Tim Walz, who has called Hortman his closest political ally, and his wife, Gwen. Biden, a Catholic, visited later in the afternoon, walking up to the velvet rope in front of the caskets, making the sign of the cross, and spending a few moments by himself in silence. He then took a knee briefly, got up, made the sign of the cross again, and walked off to greet people waiting in the wings of the rotunda.
Biden will attend the funeral, a spokesperson said. So will former Vice President Kamala Harris, though neither is expected to speak. Harris expressed her condolences earlier this week to Hortman's adult children, and spoke with Walz, her running mate on the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket, who extended an invitation on behalf of the Hortman family, her office said.
Lisa Greene, who lives in Brooklyn Park like Hortman did, but in a different House district, said she came to the Capitol because she had so much respect for the former speaker.
'She was just amazing. Amazing woman. 'And I was just so proud that she represented the city that I lived in,' Greene said in a voice choked with emotion. 'She was such a leader. She could bring people together. She was so accessible. I mean, she was friendly, you could talk to her.' But, she went on to say admiringly, Hortman was also 'a boss. She just knew what she was doing and she could just make things happen.'
A hearing takes a twist
The man accused of killing the Hortmans and wounding another Democratic lawmaker and his wife made a short court appearance Friday to face charges for what the chief federal prosecutor for Minnesota has called 'a political assassination.' Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, surrendered near his home the night of June 15 after what authorities have called the largest search in Minnesota history.
An unshaven Boelter was brought in wearing just a green padded suicide prevention suit and orange slippers. Federal defender Manny Atwal asked Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko to continue the hearing until Thursday. She said Boelter has been sleep deprived while on suicide watch in the Sherburne County Jail, and that it has been difficult to communicate with him as a result.
'Your honor, I haven't really slept in about 12 to 14 days,' Boelter told the judge. And he denied being suicidal. 'I've never been suicidal and I am not suicidal now.'
Atwal told the court that Boelter had been in what's known as a 'Gumby suit,' without undergarments, ever since his transfer to the jail after his first court appearance on June 16. She said the lights are on in his area 24 hours a day, doors slam frequently, the inmate in the next cell spreads feces on the walls, and the smell drifts to Boelter's cell.
The attorney said transferring him to segregation instead, and giving him a normal jail uniform, would let him get some sleep, restore some dignity, and let him communicate better. The judge agreed.
Prosecutors did not object to the delay and said they also had concerns about the jail conditions.
The acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Joseph Thompson, told reporters afterward that he did not think Boelter had attempted to kill himself.
The case continues
Boelter did not enter a plea. Prosecutors need to secure a grand jury indictment first, before his arraignment, which is when a plea is normally entered.
According to the federal complaint, police video shows Boelter outside the Hortmans' home and captures the sound of gunfire. And it says security video shows Boelter approaching the front doors of two other lawmakers' homes dressed as a police officer.
His lawyers have declined to comment on the charges, which could carry the federal death penalty. Thompson said last week that no decision has been made. Minnesota abolished its death penalty in 1911. The Death Penalty Information Center says a federal death penalty case hasn't been prosecuted in Minnesota in the modern era, as best as it can tell.
Boelter also faces separate murder and attempted murder charges in state court that could carry life without parole, assuming that county prosecutors get their own indictment for first-degree murder. But federal authorities intend to use their power to try Boelter first.
Other victims and alleged targets
Authorities say Boelter shot and wounded Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin before shooting and killing the Hortmans in their home in the northern Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park, a few miles away.
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The office also told the commissioners they are on the waiting list to receive another retired vehicle from another county department to help replace the current vehicle it has. Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Betty Dills also presented a flat budget with the following requested items: COLA request for staff and merit raise request for two clerks. $550 for law books to replace outdated ones. A $700 decrease for association membership dues/fees. Dills received praise from the commissioners for making do with a small budget and requesting things she thought were necessary. "If we don't need it, why have it," Dills replied to their praise. Juvenile Justice Center The requested budget is just over $8.6 million, with the food budget seeing an increase due to rising costs. County Clerk County Clerk Kelly Pinion also requested a flat budget with no additional requests. Pinion is also on board with bringing back merit-based raises, saying she likes to pay hard workers a little extra over those who just do the bare minimum. In contrast to Monday's discussion-packed session, this day was lighter, but the topics were just as important. Others are reading: When will 19th Street, Loop 88 be done in Lubbock? Here's what TxDOT has to say The commissioners heard from Public Works and Roads and Bridges departments with the key requests: The county's Public Works department is requesting a $50,000 budget increase for contract services, which covers jobs the county is not equipped to handle. When it comes to the Roads and Bridges department, some aspects are decreasing while others remain flat or at a slight increase. However, staff is requesting a 26% increase in operating budget with an overall $3.9 million increase to the department budget. Commissioners must also decide which county roads will be included in the 2026 budget and which ones will be delayed. On that same note, the commissioners are interested in addressing the county's Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) roads in each precinct. After the discussion, they came to an understanding that each one will need to be addressed individually to fit the needs of the precinct. After the discussion, the commissioners convened for an executive session. The commissioners are set to meet again next week for further talks after canceling Wednesday's meeting due to conflicting schedules. Day one was jam-packed with discussion and the commissioners hearing a Lubbock County Sheriff's Office request for more deputies and facilities staff for its aging buildings. Here's a quick breakdown of their requests: Sheriff's Office Comprises around 40% of the county's budget. Requesting four deputies to be stationed full-time at University Medical Center, where inmates are taken for medical treatment. This is to offset the thousands of overtime hours billed each year, which is how those positions are currently being funded/staffed. Create two compliance deputy positions to help enforce the game room ordinance and other regulatory measures currently enforced by patrol deputies. Requested additional funds to help prevent wage compression in the department to retain current personnel and offer incentives for promotions within the department. For Subscribers: Future of Lubbock County Expo Center uncertain as leaders eye Plan B in downtown Lubbock County Facilities Big takeaway — a push not to put off maintenance on county infrastructure. Lubbock County is facing millions of dollars in needed facilities maintenance. Staff is requesting around a $1.1 million increase to its general operating budget. Currently, staff classify two buildings — the Courthouse Annex Parking Garage and the Facilities Maintenance Parking Garages — as being in very poor condition, so much so that there are talks about building a new courthouse garage because it would cost more to repair the existing structure. Staff is also raising notice that the Sheriff's Office Garage is also on the same trajectory as being labeled very poor by 2032 if repairs are not made. County staff is asking the commissioners to approve several proposed projects in 2026 to prevent the current infrastructure challenges it faces. On a better note, staff is saying that the new Texas Anti-Gang Unit Center and the new Medical Examiner's Office should be operational in the next few months. The latter is forecast to be ahead of schedule and under budget. Precinct 4 Constable The constable for precinct four is requesting the commissioners to fund a deputy constable position. Constable Joe Pinson told the commissioners that while having a deputy would help double his office's productivity, the request for the new position is mainly for safety and security reasons. Pinson recounted several recent events where he was personally attacked when serving writs to individuals and said the deputy would help cover his back in those situations. Other Notes Notably, what was not on the agenda today was candid discussions between the commissioners and County Judge Curtis Parrish with county staff to start determining the cost of giving a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to all staff. There was also a brief discussion on revamping the merit-based raises that the commissioners froze this past year. While most of them liked the ideas, each in their own way said they had issues with how the raises would be given equally, prompting an agreement to further discuss the matter later. Others are reading: Lubbock County unveils Texas Historical Markers for deadly 1970 tornado, Dr. Ted Fujita Finally, there are differing opinions on how much of a COLA should be given to elected officials. Commissioner Cary Shaw refused to consider it at first. However, other commissioners clarified that the increase would include other elected officials besides the court, such as the tax assessor, justices of the peace, constables, and more. Shaw warmed up to the idea and sided with the other commissioners on a proposed 2% COLA increase for elected officials, noting he could elect to forego the raise, like some do. But not everyone was on the same page. County Judge Parrish proposed a 3% COLA increase, with commissioners evaluating every elected official's pay to see if a higher percentage is needed to ensure it has been adjusted to the current economic climate. The Lubbock County budget workshops are open to the public. Individuals can attend them on the 5th floor of the Lubbock County Courthouse or online. Commissioners are set to meet again at the following start times this week: 8:30 a.m. on June 24. 1:30 p.m. on June 25. 8:30 a.m. on June 26. 8:30 a.m. on June 27. Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@ This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock County hosts budget talks for 2026 tax, revenue and expense
