David DePape, the man who was previously found guilty by a federal jury for a violent attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has now been convicted on state charges as well. The state case against DePape included charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, threatening a public official, and burglary in connection to the 2022 assault on Paul Pelosi at their San Francisco home. The jury reached a verdict after deliberating for several days.
In response to the conviction, a spokesperson for Speaker Pelosi and her family expressed admiration for Paul Pelosi’s bravery, both during the attack and throughout his recovery. They commended his courage and strength during the nearly two years since the incident. The family has chosen to withhold further comments until after the sentencing is complete.
DePape had previously faced charges such as attempted murder, elder abuse, and assault with a deadly weapon in the state case, but these were dismissed due to concerns over double jeopardy following his federal conviction. In the federal trial, DePape was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the assault on Paul Pelosi.
The attack, which took place just days before the 2022 midterm elections, was captured on police body cameras. DePape broke into the Pelosi home in the early hours of the morning, demanding to know the whereabouts of Nancy Pelosi, who was in Washington, D.C. at the time. He proceeded to violently assault Paul Pelosi with a hammer, causing serious injuries that required medical treatment.
During his federal trial, DePape’s attorney argued that his client had become increasingly isolated and engulfed in conspiracy theories leading up to the attack. The attorney claimed that DePape did not intend to kill Paul Pelosi but acted irrationally as part of a misguided plan. DePape had expressed intentions to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage, question her, and inflict harm on her if she did not confess to what he believed were lies related to the “Russiagate” investigation.
DePape later expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he regretted harming Paul Pelosi and acknowledging that he should have abandoned his plan once he realized Nancy Pelosi was not present. The details of the case shed light on the serious consequences of extreme ideologies and the impact they can have on individuals and communities.
Overall, the conviction of David DePape on state charges serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and justice in cases of violent attacks. It also highlights the resilience and strength of individuals like Paul Pelosi in the face of adversity. The legal proceedings surrounding this case have brought attention to the need for addressing underlying issues that can lead to such acts of violence in our society.