Man who killed Minnesota lawmaker sentenced to life as her family describes trauma, loss

MINNEAPOLIS (AP), Vance Boelter has been sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years for the murder of Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. Boelter pleaded guilty to federal charges last month, nearly a year after the attacks, in a deal that spared him the death penalty. However, the father and siblings of Mark Hortman voiced their anger in court, expressing frustration that Boelter would not face capital punishment.

U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim imposed the sentence, calling it the longest he has handed down in thousands of cases. He stated the sentence was deserved. During the sentencing hearing, victims and survivors shared the profound and lasting impact of the violence.

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The defendant looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger. The defendant looked at my wife and chose to do the same. My wife and I now live with injuries. We live with our bodies remembering the gunfire.

State Sen. John Hoffman, who was critically wounded along with his wife Yvette in the attacks, described how the violence constantly intrudes on their daily lives. The couple no longer receives mail at home, has installed steel doors for security, and has altered their routines due to their injuries. "The defendant looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger," Hoffman recounted. "My wife and I now live with injuries. We live with our bodies remembering the gunfire."

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I will never forget looking down and watching my blood slowly stream down that white washing machine as I felt myself sinking to the floor. We always have an escape plan now. This isn't how people should live.

Yvette Hoffman shared her ongoing trauma, stating she has been unable to work since the attack and attends therapy weekly. "I will never forget looking down and watching my blood slowly stream down that white washing machine as I felt myself sinking to the floor," she said, visibly emotional. "We always have an escape plan now. This isn't how people should live."

Boelter admitted to stalking his targets for months before disguising himself as a police officer and driving to their homes with the intent to kill. The killings triggered the largest manhunt in the state's history. State Rep. Kristin Bahner, whose home Boelter also visited that night while she and her family were on vacation, spoke of her lingering shock. "I could not fathom why I was spared and (Hortman) was not," Bahner said. "You failed because I carry her with me. In my mind and in my heart, she guides me."

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I could not fathom why I was spared and (Hortman) was not. You failed because I carry her with me. In my mind and in my heart, she guides me.