Alleged Political Assassin’s Hearing Delayed Amid Dispute Over Jail Conditions

(KNSI) – The man accused of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and wounding another Democratic lawmaker and his wife, made a brief court appearance Friday, where his attorneys successfully requested a delay, citing concerns about jail conditions.

Vance Boelter appeared before Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko wearing only a green padded suicide prevention suit and orange slippers. His federal public defender, Manny Atwal, requested the hearing be continued until next Thursday, arguing that the Green Isle man has been sleep-deprived while on suicide watch at the Sherburne County Jail.

“Your honor, I haven’t really slept in about 12 to 14 days,” Boelter told the judge, while denying being suicidal. “I’ve never been suicidal and I am not suicidal now.”

Atwal described harsh conditions at the jail, saying the 67-year-old has been kept in what’s known as a “Gumby suit” without undergarments since his transfer following his June 16th court appearance. She cited 24-hour lighting, frequently slamming doors, and an adjacent inmate who spreads feces on cell walls, with the smell drifting to Boelter’s cell.

The judge agreed to transfer Boelter to segregation and provide him with a normal jail uniform. Prosecutors did not object to the delay and expressed their own concerns about the jail conditions.

However, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, which runs the jail, strongly disputed the defense characterization of Boelter’s treatment in a statement released after the hearing. They provided detailed surveillance evidence contradicting claims that Boelter has been unable to sleep.

According to a press release, security cameras capturing the activity of the alleged assassin in his cell on ‘suicide precaution’ show he was resting peacefully with his eyes closed for seven straight hours, appearing to be asleep, from approximately 10:40 p.m. Thursday until 5:45 a.m. Friday.

The statement noted that correctional officers conducting routine welfare checks believed Boelter was sleeping during those periods. Similar seven-hour rest periods were documented on Wednesday night, according to jail staff.

Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott emphasized that Boelter “is not in a hotel” but in jail, where he belongs, given the serious charges. They defended the 24-hour lighting as necessary for welfare checks and described his cell as “spotless clean” with a mattress that has a sewn-in pillow. They said he has daily access to phone calls and showers and has not missed any meals.

Boelter faces federal charges that could carry the death penalty for what Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson has called “a political assassination.” Thompson said no decision has been made yet on seeking capital punishment.

Minnesota abolished its death penalty in 1911, and the Death Penalty Information Center says a federal death penalty case hasn’t been prosecuted in Minnesota in the modern era.

According to the federal complaint, police video captures Boelter outside the Hortmans’ home and records the sound of gunfire. Security footage allegedly shows him approaching two other lawmakers’ homes dressed as a police officer.

Boelter surrendered near his home on June 15 after what authorities called the largest search in Minnesota history. He did not enter a plea Friday, as prosecutors must first secure a grand jury indictment before his arraignment.

Authorities say Boelter shot and wounded Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their Champlin home before killing the Hortmans at their Brooklyn Park residence. Federal prosecutors allege he also stopped at homes of two other Democratic lawmakers and had listed dozens of other Democrats as potential targets, including officials in other states.

Boelter also faces separate state murder and attempted murder charges that could result in life without parole, but federal authorities plan to prosecute first.

The hearing delay came on the same day hundreds of mourners waited in long lines to pay respects to the Hortmans.

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