Vance Boelter, 59, was sentenced on Thursday to two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in prison. A US District Court Judge handed down the sentence after Boelter pleaded guilty in June to six counts related to the killings of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the shootings of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
The politically motivated attacks occurred 13 months ago when Boelter disguised himself as a police officer to attack the legislators at their homes. Boelter pleaded guilty to federal charges after prosecutors announced they did not intend to seek the death penalty.
Appearing in court dressed in orange prison garb and shackled at the ankles, Boelter remained impassive during victim impact statements and never met the gaze of the survivors and family members. Friends and family of Melissa Hortman said that while the attacks failed to eliminate her spirit and legacy, they caused enduring fear and fury that changed their lives forever.