State trial for convicted Minnesota lawmaker killer delayed until 2027
A Hennepin County judge ruled Monday that the state trial for Vance Boelter, the man convicted in federal court earlier this year of murdering former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, will be delayed until May 2027.
Boelter's state trial was originally slated to begin next month, but his defense successfully argued Monday morning for a continuance, saying they don't have enough time to review the thousands of pieces of evidence by the Nov. 2 deadline. Judge Juan Hoyos says the trial will now begin on May 10, 2027, at 9 a.m.
Boelter initially disagreed with his attorneys during the hearing, stating he didn't want to delay the trial any longer. But he soon waived his right to a speedy trial.
Monday's hearing also involved a change-of-venue request from Boelter's team, and a discussion of the temporary gag order Hoyos approved last week following public comments made on Sept. 25 by Boelter's surviving victims, state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman.
The Hoffmans — whom Boelter shot a total of 17 times during the attack inside their Champlin home on June 14, 2025 — called the proceedings "a clown show."
"I just see a waste of public taxpayer dollars on defending this person publicly," said John Hoffman.
"[Boelter is] not a patriot," said Yvette Hoffman. "He's a piece of s***."
Hoyos' ruling barred Boelter, attorneys from both sides, witnesses, court employees and victims from making public statements about the case. Legal expert Joe Tamburino, who is not associated with this case, says he doesn't believe a gag order fits.
"It's so broad, it's overly broad. It violates, in my opinion, First Amendment rights," said Tamburino.
Hoyos heard arguments from both sides on the matter Monday, with Boelter unsuccessfully requesting to address the court. Although his defense first requested the gag order, they told the judge Monday it impacts his First Amendment rights to speak and post about his defense.
The state previously filed a protective order to try and keep sensitive personal information in the case from Boelter after the discovery of blog posts he made while incarcerated.
State prosecutors told the judge they're fine with the gag order as long as it applies to everyone.
"It simply doesn't work," said Tamburino. "You're going to restrict the parties from not talking, but everybody else can talk. So, you can talk in the media, neighbors can talk, people in the street can talk, but the victims in the case can't talk? The defendant can't talk? So these types of orders really don't work."
Hoyos is expected to decide on whether to lift gag order within the next couple of days.
Boelter faces two counts of first-degree premeditated murder in his state case, along with several other charges. He was sentenced in federal court to two life terms and an additional 40 years for the attacks.
