How is disguising yourself as a police officer and shooting people in cold blood 2nd degree murder?

[goaded]

A man dresses as a police officer, including uniform and an apparently official police vehicle, goes to Democratic politicians' homes and shoots four people, killing two leaving a hitlist of dozens of people when interrupted. After a long search, he is captured alive and is charged with... second degree murder.

"public databases show Boelter was in the past a registered Republican. His evangelical religion and his anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion stances reflect MAGA positions. Boelter’s roommate told reporters that Boelter was a “strong” supporter of President Trump."

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/june-15-2025

It's possible that the charges are placeholders, while the authorities work on terrorism and first degree murder charges, but it doesn't look good.

[AyChingao]

Heather Cox Richardson is awesome by the way. It's probably the stiffest penalty the DA felt they could be certain they could make stick. Notice it's a state charge out of Minnesota and NOT federal. Trump cannot pardon state convictions, only federal.

[msmissydc]

If this is true, it is genius and concerning at the same time. Giving political murderers less harsh sentences so they don't walk completely free is a trade-off that no democracy should have to deal with.

[AyChingao]

@msmissydc I agree in pricipal. I wouldn;t assume that the charge of murder 2 vs murder one is due to politics. Murder 2 in Minnesota carries up to 40 years incarceration, and I would hope they push for the max on conviction, but be sure, they want to make VERY VERY sure that this guy goes away, no mistakes. Also on the state charge, this is the price of having a completely partisan thug as President. Never before have we had ro consider that POTUS might pardon a provenn criminal, but he already pardoned 1500 insurrectionists from Jan. 6 and since this guy killed Democrats I consider it highly likely Trump would pardon him... crimial act in and of itself in my opinion.

[AyChingao]

@msmissydc, @goaded update to this case, suspect will now face up to and including the death penalty as more charges are added on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cbCRkyJsQk

[goaded]

I don't approve of the death penalty; let him rot in prison for the rest of his life.

[AyChingao]

Agreed

[AyChingao]

thanks

[jshm2]

It will likely get upgraded as the case comes to court. But even 2nd degree murder can be a life sentence.

[goaded]

That's what I hope for. If the DoJ doesn't add on terrorism charges, Republicans will have a lot of explaining to do.

[NathanDavis]

most likely... the state will go with charges that are easier to prosecute and find them guilty of... no chance for a legal loophole to get tricky

moreso when federal charges might apply on top of state ones

[Shiprex]

It's not going to stay as this unless he can prove he's insane.