A San Francisco jury has convicted a man named David DePape of aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, false imprisonment, threatening a family member of a public official, and dissuading a witness. These charges come weeks after DePape was sentenced to federal prison for attacking former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi. The conviction of aggravated kidnapping carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Pelosi’s office expressed gratitude for Paul Pelosi’s bravery during the trial and his recovery over the past 20 months.
DePape’s public defender, Adam Lipson, expressed disappointment with the verdict and indicated plans to appeal. Lipson criticized the prosecutors’ decision to charge DePape with kidnapping for ransom, which he described as vindictive. He argued that the state trial amounted to double jeopardy due to the federal conviction for the same attack. However, the charges were dismissed at the state level. Despite the ruling, DePape faces a lifetime in a California prison after serving his federal sentence.
During closing arguments, Lipson challenged the prosecution’s assertions that DePape kidnapped Paul Pelosi with the intent to extort money or something valuable. Assistant District Attorney Phoebe Maffei contended that DePape intended to record a video of his interrogation of Nancy Pelosi. DePape’s defense maintained that he sought to confront and potentially harm Nancy Pelosi and that there was no value in such a recording. Maffei’s rebuttal highlighted DePape’s plans to have Pelosi confess to perceived crimes on video, which he intended to share online.
The attack against Paul Pelosi resulted in two head wounds, including a skull fracture that required surgical intervention. DePape admitted to planning to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage, interrogate her on camera, and threaten violence if she did not comply. Lipson argued that DePape’s isolation and susceptibility to conspiracy theories contributed to his actions. The judge removed DePape’s former partner, Gypsy Taub, from the courtroom for attempting to influence the jury with conspiracy theory materials distributed outside the courthouse. Taub, who has a history with DePape, reportedly exposed him to extreme beliefs and caused psychological harm according to DePape’s family.
DePape’s federal trial revealed his intent to confront the Pelosi family over perceived falsehoods related to the “Russiagate” investigation. The incident, captured on police body cameras, took place just days before the 2022 midterm elections, causing shock in the political landscape. Despite the dismissal of some charges at the state level, DePape is destined to spend the rest of his life in a California prison after serving his federal sentence. The criminal acts of kidnapping, burglary, and assault have left Paul Pelosi with physical injuries and emotional trauma, emphasizing the impact of such violent actions on individuals and families.
