Former President Joe Biden joined thousands of mourners as former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was honored in a rare state funeral following her murder in a June 14 shooting. Hortman, the first woman and one of only a few Minnesotans to be accorded the honor, lay in state in the Minnesota Capitol rotunda with her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever, Gilbert. The public viewing, open from noon to 5 p.m., drew crowds who filed past the caskets arranged under the Capitol dome, with law enforcement officers stationed on either side. Among the first to pay their respects were Governor Tim Walz, described as Hortman’s closest political ally, and his wife, Gwen. Biden visited the site in the afternoon, making the sign of the cross and spending quiet moments at the caskets before greeting mourners.
Hortman, a Democrat, was a prominent figure in Minnesota politics, known for her leadership and ability to unite colleagues. Her husband, Mark, was also killed in the attack, and their dog, Gilbert, was severely wounded before being euthanized. The funeral, a private event scheduled for Saturday, will be streamed live on the Department of Public Safety’s YouTube channel. Biden, who will attend the funeral, was joined by former Vice President Kamala Harris, though neither is expected to deliver speeches. Harris had previously extended condolences to Hortman’s adult children and shared a message of solidarity with Governor Walz, who invited the family to the funeral.
The court hearing for the suspect, Vance Boelter, took a notable turn as his defense attorneys highlighted the difficult conditions he faced in jail. Boelter, 57, was brought before Judge Douglas Micko in a suicide prevention suit, with his lawyer requesting a delay in proceedings due to sleep deprivation and the lack of communication. He denied being suicidal, citing a lack of rest since his arrest. His lawyers argued that his treatment in jail, including a “Gumby suit” without undergarments and constant noise, was inhumane, prompting the judge to agree to a delay. Prosecutors expressed concerns about the conditions, though they did not challenge the delay.
Boelter, who was arrested the night of the shooting, now faces serious charges, including federal death penalty proceedings, although Minnesota has not executed a death penalty since 1911. Federal prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of a death sentence, while state authorities also plan to charge him with murder and attempted murder. Boelter’s attorneys have not commented on the charges, but his behavior has raised questions about potential motives. Friends described him as an evangelical Christian with politically conservative views, but the motive for the attack remains unclear. Authorities have identified several other lawmakers as potential targets, including officials in other states, underscoring the severity of the case.