A judge sentenced David DePape to 30 years in prison for attacking Paul Pelosi, the husband of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
A San Francisco jury convicted DePape of assault and attempted kidnapping of a federal official in November after a week-long trial.
The attack hospitalized Paul Pelosi, now 84, for six days with a fractured skull and other injuries. Nancy Pelosi had requested a “very long” sentence for DePape.
A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi expressed the family’s pride in Paul Pelosi’s bravery during the attack and his testimony in court. The family also thanked everyone for their love and prayers during Paul Pelosi’s ongoing recovery.
Prosecutors sought a 40-year sentence for DePape, who also faces life imprisonment on separate state charges. Video evidence from the trial showed DePape, a Canadian citizen living in the US for two decades, breaking into the Pelosi home with a hammer on October 28, 2022. He demanded to see Nancy Pelosi, who was not at home, and confronted her husband.
Police officers arrived after a 911 call and found both men gripping the hammer. When officers ordered them to drop the weapon, DePape struck Paul Pelosi and officers quickly subdued him. The officers’ body cameras captured the entire incident.
Injury to Pelosi
Paul Pelosi suffered a fractured skull and injuries to his arm and hand after being struck three times. In a letter filed before the sentencing, Nancy Pelosi urged the court to impose a “very long” sentence on DePape, noting that she and her husband had not discussed the traumatic incident on doctors’ advice.
During the trial, Paul Pelosi testified that DePape intended to “take out” Nancy Pelosi, whom he called the “leader of the pack.” Paul Pelosi described the shock and danger he felt during the attack and recounted waking up in a pool of blood and being rushed to the hospital.
In his own letter to the court, Paul Pelosi detailed his ongoing struggles with balance, headaches, and sensitivity to light and noise. He also mentioned needing to sleep during the day to manage his condition.
DePape’s court-appointed lawyer, Jodi Linker, argued that her client was driven by right-wing conspiracy theories, which he deeply believed. Prosecutors countered that DePape had a violent plan, revealing that he had a “target list” and intended to break Nancy Pelosi’s kneecaps if she did not reveal “the truth.” At the time of his arrest, DePape possessed zip ties and duct tape.
Outside the courthouse, DePape’s son, Sky Gonzalez, described the 30-year sentence as equivalent to a death sentence given his father’s age of nearly 50.
In addition to federal charges, DePape faces state charges, including burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and attempted murder. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment. DePape has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
