() The man accused of fatally shooting a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband pleaded not guilty in federal court Thursday.
Vance Boelter, 57, was indicted on federal murder charges last month in the deaths of Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman.
Boelter faces a total of six counts, including stalking and firearms offenses.
Judge Dulce Foster oversaw the hearing, which marked Boelter’s first formal appearance in federal court. Foster granted the prosecution’s request to designate the case as complex.
A trial date has not yet been set.
Boelter is also accused of shooting and wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has said the attacks appeared to be politically motivated.
After the largest manhunt in Minnesota history, Boelter was taken into custody. Police said he was wearing body armor and a tactical vest like those worn by law enforcement and a realistic silicone mask during the attacks.
Investigators said it appeared Boelter had been planning the attacks for some time and had purchased materials to make a fake license plate to impersonate a police officer.
