David DePape was sentenced to 30 years by a federal court for attacking U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, in their San Francisco home with a hammer. DePape was found guilty of attempting to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and assaulting Paul Pelosi after breaking into their home in search of the House Speaker. DePape appeared in court to face state charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, false imprisonment, and more. His defense attorney argued that DePape never intended to kill Paul Pelosi, attributing his actions to a misguided plan influenced by his mental health condition. DePape was diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder and lived in isolation, spending most of his time playing video games and surfing the internet.
During his federal trial, DePape admitted to planning to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage, interrogate her, and harm her if she did not admit to lies he believed she told about “Russiagate.” Despite these intentions, Nancy Pelosi was not home at the time of the attack. DePape’s attorney stated that he was estranged from his family and consumed by conspiracy theories. The attack on Paul Pelosi was captured on police body cameras, resulting in severe injuries to him, including head wounds and a skull fracture. DePape was re-sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley acknowledged an error in not allowing him to make a statement before his initial sentencing. DePape expressed remorse in court, apologizing for his actions and acknowledging the impact they had on Paul Pelosi’s life.
The state case against David DePape includes charges of attempted murder, elder abuse, and threatening the life or bodily harm of a public official. The prosecution argued that DePape’s actions violated the sanctity of one’s home and pointed out the vulnerability of elderly individuals, emphasizing the severity of the attack on Paul Pelosi. DePape’s defense attorney highlighted his client’s deteriorating mental state leading up to the incident, citing his diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder. DePape’s living conditions and isolation were presented as factors contributing to his actions. Despite pleading not guilty to the state charges, DePape admitted to his intentions during the federal trial, including plans to harm Nancy Pelosi if she did not meet his demands.
The attack on Paul Pelosi occurred days before the 2022 midterm elections, drawing attention to the escalating political tensions surrounding the incident. DePape’s attorney portrayed him as a troubled individual influenced by extreme ideologies and disconnected from reality due to his mental health struggles. The severity of the injuries sustained by Paul Pelosi further underscored the impact of the attack on both him and his family. Judge Corley’s acknowledgment of the sentencing error led to DePape’s re-sentencing and allowed him to make a statement expressing his remorse for his actions. Paul Pelosi described the attack as life-changing, highlighting the lasting effects it had on him. The case involving David DePape serves as a reminder of the dangers of extremist beliefs and the devastating consequences they can have on individuals and communities.
