Prosecutors Await AG Bondi's Decision on Death Penalty in Vance Boelter Case

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Federal prosecutors say it is still being determined whether to seek the death penalty for Vance Boelter, who is accused of killing Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and injuring Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in 2025. A hearing was held on Friday where the judge asked about staffing changes and the timeline for the decision on the death penalty.

Why it matters

This high-profile case involving the killing of a state legislative leader and the injury of a state senator has garnered significant attention and raises questions about the use of the death penalty, especially as the U.S. Attorney General must make the final decision.

The details

During the hearing, Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster asked about staffing, since former lead prosecutor, Harry Jacobs, resigned from the U.S. Attorney's Office, and whether there was a plan to manage the issue. Remaining prosecutor Matthew Forbes said he and his colleague Bradley Endicott have been on the case since the beginning and do not expect any scheduling delays because of the resignations. Foster also asked if there were updates on whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty, which is up to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and prosecutors said more discussion is expected at a status conference on April 17. Boelter's case involves over 130,000 documents, nearly 1,000 hours of audio and video, and 2,000 pictures.

• The hearing was held on Friday, February 20, 2026.
• A status conference on the death penalty decision is scheduled for April 17, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge and prosecutors will discuss the decision on whether to seek the death penalty at a status conference on April 17, 2026.