The Minnesota man who pleaded guilty to killing a top state Democratic lawmaker and her husband last year was sentenced Thursday to life in prison.

The killer, Vance Boelter, 59, was sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in prison. He pleaded guilty last month to six counts related to the killings of state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and husband Mark, and the shootings of state Sen. John Hoffman and wife Yvette.

On the condition that federal prosecutors not seek the death penalty, Boelter, 59 last month pleaded guilty to six counts in connection to the killing of Minnesota state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and husband Mark. 

Boelter also pleaded guilty to critically wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and wife Yvette. He agreed to serve two consecutive life sentences, plus 40 years – the maximum sentence possible short of the death penalty, according to NBC News

Boelter said in court that he spent months selecting and watching his targets. Last year, he drove to their homes in the middle of the night, disguised as a police officer, with the intention of killing them, Boelter said.