GRAND JURY BRINGS STATE CHARGES AGAINST BOELTER

A grand jury has handed down state charges against Vance Boelter, the man accused in the deadly attack that killed Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband and injured Senator John Hoffman and his wife.  Boelter now faces eight state charges including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder and four counts of attempted first-degree murder.  One of those attempted charges stems from Boelter allegedly going to the home of Representative Kristin Bahner – who wasn’t home at the time.  He’s also charged with felony animal cruelty for the killing of the Hortmans’ dog.  If convicted on the state charges, Boelter could spend the rest of his life in prison without parole.  But the federal case, which comes first, carries the possibility of the death penalty.  Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarity says the federal trial will happen before the state proceedings begin.