Boelter State Murder Trial Pushed to May 2027

(KNSI) – Vance Boelter’s attorneys asked for more time, and a Hennepin County judge gave it to them Monday, pushing his state murder trial back six months to May 10th, 2027.

The trial had been set to begin November 2nd. Boelter’s public defenders told Judge Juan Hoyos they could not get through the volume of evidence in the case by then, even if they cleared their schedules. Boelter, who had demanded a speedy trial, waived that right.

The new date also works around the legislative session, since lawmakers are expected to be subpoenaed to testify.

Much of the hearing focused on a temporary gag order Hoyos issued last week. It bars Boelter, the attorneys on both sides, witnesses and court employees from talking publicly about the case. That includes state Senator John Hoffman and his family, who survived the attack and had publicly criticized the defense’s request for a delay. Prosecutors asked that the order also cover Boelter, who has been posting online about his case while in custody. His attorneys argued Monday that the order goes too far and asked that he be allowed to keep writing about the case. Hoyos said he will decide on a longer-term order soon.

Boelter pleaded guilty in federal court and is serving two life sentences plus 40 years for the June 2025 shootings that killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounded Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He has pleaded not guilty to the state charges. Hennepin County prosecutors have said a state conviction would keep him in prison even if he were ever pardoned on the federal charges.

In state court, Boelter faces two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder and other charges. A conviction on the murder charges carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

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