NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of assassinating the top Democrat in the Minnesota House held deeply religious and politically conservative views, telling a congregation in Africa two years ago that the U.S. was in a “bad place” where most churches didn’t oppose abortion.

The man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses -- two fatally -- is now in federal custody on murder charges that could involve the death penalty. Vance Boelter, 57, was facing first-degree murder charges,