David DePape, the man who brutally attacked Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with a hammer in their San Francisco home, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. The U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley ultimately sided with the U.S. Probation Office’s recommendation of a 30-year punishment over the government prosecutors’ request for a maximum term of 40 years. The Pelosi family expressed their pride in Paul Pelosi, or “Pop,” for his courage in saving his own life during the attack and testifying in the case, and they are grateful for the support they have received during his recovery.
DePape was found guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official stemming from the October 28, 2022, assault. During the trial, DePape admitted to breaking into the Pelosi’s home with plans to involve the couple in a plot to lure a Bay Area scholar and university professor in feminist theory and queer studies. He referenced right-wing conspiracy theories and his intense consumption of political commentary on YouTube leading up to the attack. DePape had initially told investigators that he planned to break Speaker Pelosi’s kneecaps if she didn’t answer his questions truthfully but later backtracked on this alleged admission.
Body-camera footage showed the moments leading up to the attack on Paul Pelosi and the subsequent intervention by police. Paul Pelosi managed to call 911 while DePape was distracted, and when officers arrived on the scene, both men had their hands on the hammer. DePape was ordered to drop the weapon by an officer before he pulled it away from Pelosi and attacked him with it. DePape was swiftly apprehended by officers and faces state charges including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, false imprisonment, and threatening a public official’s life or causing serious bodily harm.
DePape’s testimony during the trial painted a picture of his motivations and thought process leading up to the attack. He spent hours consuming political content on YouTube and believed that Pelosi was involved in a conspiracy. Despite his previous statement about breaking Pelosi’s kneecaps, DePape attempted to backtrack on this claim during his testimony, denying any intention to kidnap the lawmaker. However, his actions that night clearly demonstrated violent intent, as he attacked Pelosi with a hammer before being subdued by law enforcement. Jury selection for the state charges against DePape, pressed by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, is set to begin soon.
The sentencing of DePape to 30 years in prison reflects the severity of his actions and the potential threat he posed to the Pelosi family. His admission of breaking into their home with violent intentions and his subsequent attack on Paul Pelosi demonstrate a concerning level of aggression and premeditation. The ongoing legal proceedings and state charges against DePape indicate that the justice system will hold him accountable for his actions and ensure that he faces appropriate consequences for his violent assault. The Pelosi family’s resilience and the support they have received throughout this ordeal continue to be a source of strength as they navigate the aftermath of this traumatic experience.
