By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, Vance Boelter, 58, pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder, stalking, and firearms violations. Boelter, represented by federal public defender Manny Atwal, entered his plea in court. The courtroom illustration depicts Boelter at the lectern during the proceedings. The charges against Boelter are serious and involve multiple offenses.
Read the original article here
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case. It seems pretty straightforward at first glance: the guy, Vance Boelter, who allegedly wrote a letter confessing to some serious crimes, is now pleading not guilty. You have to wonder, is this some kind of strategic move? Maybe a setup for an insanity plea? It’s definitely an interesting approach, especially given the details of the case.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – and this brings up the inevitable political comparisons. Whenever something like this happens, you know that people on the right will try to downplay it, while those on the left will likely point out the hypocrisy, highlighting their claim that only the left is prone to violence. And of course, there are those who will wonder about potential pardons down the line, as if that’s even remotely possible.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – and speaking of pardons, it’s worth remembering that the President can’t pardon state crimes, so Minnesota can still ensure Boelter’s imprisonment even if the federal charges go away. Some people might still find it amusing to bring up how some might claim “Kirk’s death isn’t being called an assassination,” while at the same time, they might find it acceptable not to call this shooting an assassination either.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – but really, the legal strategy is the thing that stands out, and how standard it is. Pleading not guilty is, in the vast majority of cases, the default position. You don’t want to plead guilty right off the bat unless you have a really good plea deal on the table. That’s the way it works. You try to negotiate, see what you can get, before you commit.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – and the burden of proof, of course, lies with the state. Boelter is exercising his right to make them prove their case. You are never going to get a plea deal by pleading guilty right away. It’s not about thinking you’re going to get away with it. It’s about having your day in court, a chance to air your grievances, shout about what you believe, and maybe, just maybe, become a martyr in the process.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – it’s a safe bet that this case will inspire a lot of opinions. Some are already spreading conspiracy theories, claiming that Boelter was Walz’s best friend or something. It’s just a reminder that, no matter what happens, some people will never change their minds or give up their way of thinking. Things might even get worse.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – It’s important to remember that most politically motivated violence in the US comes from right-wing individuals. While it’s not impossible for the left to be involved, right-wing ideology often justifies violence with the “ends justify the means” viewpoint. It’s not good faith to claim only the left engages in this kind of behavior.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – there are definitely people who will use this opportunity to deflect. Kirk’s comments about mass shootings, and the implication about the number of transgender mass shooters will be another opportunity to change the subject, and make it more about them.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – and unfortunately, this type of case will likely continue to fuel political division. You can’t reason or have a rational conversation with some people, because they always bring in unrelated arguments, and never address the core issues. When this happens, those issues will only become worse.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – and if you are thinking that this might become a political football, you’re right. Remember the funding cuts under Trump regarding right-wing extremism? That kind of sets the scene, doesn’t it? It seems that some people conveniently forget the many acts of domestic terrorism committed by right-wingers, the attack on Paul Pelosi, or the events of January 6th. It is deliberate how the rhetoric flows.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – while the exact charges might determine the strategy, you aren’t usually going to do an open guilty plea during the initial arraignment. A plea deal is what you would negotiate for. This case is no exception to the standard approach.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – and we shouldn’t forget that there are always those who will jump on any opportunity to spread misinformation and conspiracy theories. It’s the same tired tactic of spewing a bunch of nonsense in the hope that something will stick, and keep the truth hidden.
Vance Boelter enters plea in Minnesota lawmaker, Hortman shooting case – and while a politician can’t pardon state charges, the thought of a right-wing governor in Minnesota stepping in and attempting to do so, is a sobering one.