David DePape, accused of bludgeoning U.S. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi with a hammer at the couple’s San Francisco mansion last year, was found guilty of the charges in a federal court Thursday.
DePape was convicted of two charges: attempting to kidnap a federal official and assaulting an immediate family member of a federal official with intent to retaliate against the official for performance of their duties.
His attorneys had argued that he was not seeking to go after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi because of her official duties as a member of Congress and so the charges did not fit.
With the conviction, DePape faces life in prison.
Nancy Pelosi’s spokesperson Aaron Bennett released the following statement following the verdicts:
“Speaker Pelosi and her family are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and warm wishes for Mr. Pelosi from so many across the country during this difficult time. The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago and in the courtroom this week. Thankfully, Mr. Pelosi continues to make progress in his recovery.
“Given the ongoing state court proceedings, Speaker Pelosi and the Pelosi family will not be offering further comment on this matter.”
DePape’s defense did not dispute that the 43-year-old DePape struck Paul Pelosi multiple times with a hammer, fracturing his skull and injuring his hands and arms, after breaking into the Pelosis’ home on Oct. 28, 2022.
DePape told jurors he went to seek out Nancy Pelosi as part of a larger plan to end what he viewed as government corruption, a view reinforced by his endless consumption of right-wing media and outlandish conspiracy theories.
Sketch by Vicki Behringer
According to DePape’s own testimony, the intrusion at the Pelosis’ home was to be the first in a list of targets that included progressive politicians and celebrities that he came to believe were part of a sinister cabal driving the country to ruin. Other names on his list included California Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Congressman Adam Schiff, actor Tom Hanks, President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden, and Bay Area scholar and University of Michigan professor of women’s and queer studies Dr. Gayle Rubin, identified as Target 1 in court papers.
DePape, a Canadian citizen who was living in a garage in the East Bay city of Richmond at the time of the attack, testified that his plan was to get Nancy Pelosi and other targets to admit to their corruption. “If she lied, I would break her kneecaps,” he said. “The choice is on her.” He then wanted President Joe Biden to pardon the targets “so we can move forward as a country.”
DePape has pleaded not guilty to charges in state court of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary and other felonies. A state trial has not been scheduled.
This is a breaking news update. More information to be added as available.
