David DePape, convicted of attacking Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole during a San Francisco court hearing on Tuesday.
The Daily Mail reported that DePape, 44, was found guilty of several charges, including aggravated kidnapping and first-degree burglary, and was sentenced in a state court after a federal decision awarded him 30 years for related offenses.
In October 2022, DePape broke into the Pelosi residence in San Francisco, targeting Nancy Pelosi. As she was not home, he attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer.
The attack, occurring just days before the midterm elections, left Paul Pelosi with substantial injuries, highlighted by the presence of a metal plate in his head and ongoing nerve damage.
During the trial's proceedings, which culminated this week, DePape continued to express several conspiracy theories, often causing disruptions with his unusual claims. He addressed the court saying, “I’m a psychic. The more I meditate, the more psychic I get.” Despite his proclamations, the court remained focused on the violent nature of his crimes and their impact.
Judge Harry Dorfman firmly rejected the defense’s plea for a new trial, declaring that DePape will "never get out of prison; he can never be paroled." The court's final sentencing reflected the severity of DePape's actions and their repercussions on the Pelosi family.
The attack itself was captured in police body camera footage, which was presented during the trial.
The footage depicted a violent altercation as DePape struck Pelosi multiple times with a hammer.
This evidence played a critical role in the jury's decision, contributing to his conviction on charges of aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment of an elder.
Paul Pelosi’s emotional statement, read by his daughter Christine Pelosi, provided a poignant account of the assault's lasting physical and psychological toll. He recounted the trauma of waking to find DePape standing over him with a hammer and zip ties, demanding to see Nancy Pelosi.
Court documents revealed DePape had meticulously planned his intrusion into the Pelosi home.
Authorities discovered that DePape had purchased items such as a camping backpack, computer cables, body cameras, crayons, and uniquely two unicorn costumes, preceding the attack. His intentions, as confessed in the trial, were to confront Nancy Pelosi, prepared to hold her hostage and harm her if deemed necessary.
DePape had also expressed regret after the attack, describing feelings of sorrow for injuring Paul Pelosi. He stated, “When he was on the ground, bleeding, I was really scared for his life. I felt really bad for him." These assertions, however, did little to sway the court's judgment or the severity of his sentencing.
In contrast, defense attorney Adam Lipson painted a different picture of DePape, labeling his client as a man who had led a peaceful life “up until his activation.” The defense argued that a new trial was warranted, but these appeals were ultimately dismissed.
The attempted confrontation with Nancy Pelosi brought to light security concerns for public figures, especially around election periods. It underscored vulnerabilities in the protection of political personalities and their families.
As the story unfolded in the courtroom, DePape shared he had planned to query Nancy Pelosi about “Russiagate” and intended to document the interaction for online dissemination.
The failure of this plan ignited his aggression towards Paul Pelosi. “I reacted because my plan was basically ruined,” DePape remarked, expressing apathy over the unintended injuries inflicted.
The outcome of the trials, both state and federal, serves as a conclusion to the violent events that transpired two years ago. This severe punishment signifies the legal system's response to violent assaults on political figures and their families.
