Man accused of killing Minnesota lawmaker to appear in court on murder charges

Vance Boelter is accused of killing Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.

The Minnesota man accused of killing the state's top lawmaker and her husband in June will make his first formal federal court appearance Thursday.

Vance Boelter, 57, was indicted on federal murder charges last month in the killing of Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, in their Brooklyn Park home June 14. He faces six counts in total, including firearms offenses and stalking.

A photograph of state Sen. Melissa Hortman, D-Minn., and her husband at memorial outside the Minnesota state Capitol, in St. Paul, on June 15.Selina Guevara / NBC NewsHis attorney, public defender Manny Atwal, has indicated that Boelter will plead not guilty. If convicted, Boelter could face the death penalty, although that is yet to be decided.

Thursday's arraignment hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster is expected to set out a timeline for the case, possibly including a date for Boelter's trial. Prosecutors have said the complex case involves a huge amount of evidence, including video footage, responses to grand jury subpoenas and information from digital devices.

Vance Boelter during his arrest June 15.Ramsey County Sheriff's OfficeMinnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in the immediate aftermath of the attack that it appeared to be a "politically motivated assassination."