Pelosi Husband’s Attacker Found Guilty Of Assault And Abduction Attempt
David DePape was found guilty of assault by the jury for the incident in which he broke Paul Pelosi’s skull. In addition, he was found guilty of trying to abduct Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time, who was not at home.
US prosecutors announced in a statement that David Depape had been found guilty by a federal jury of attempted kidnapping of a federal officer or employee and assault on the official’s immediate family member.
“DePape faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison.”
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the jury reached a unanimous decision after less than a day of deliberation.
Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, was the second in line for the presidency at the time of the October 2022 attack and was frequently the subject of far-right conspiracy theories.
Jurors heard that DePape, a former Canadian activist who supported himself by doing odd jobs around the house, had originally intended to attack Nancy Pelosi, threatening to break her kneecaps if she did not acknowledge her party’s “lies.”
When DePape arrived at their house with duct tape, gloves, and a rope, she was met by her 82-year-old husband, who insisted on asking her where Nancy was.
During what DePape told officers was a “pretty amicable” conversation with Paul Pelosi, the husband managed to call for help from law enforcement.
But moments later, in scenes captured by police bodycam, DePape bludgeoned Pelosi with a hammer before officers rushed at him and took the weapon away.
Pelosi was knocked unconscious and spent almost a week in a hospital, where he underwent surgery. DePape told jurors Tuesday that Paul Pelosi “was never my target and I’m sorry he got hurt.”
‘Courage’
DePape sat quietly beside his lawyers for the verdict and did not outwardly react to the decision, according to the Los Angeles Times.He now awaits sentencing, and also faces separate state charges.
DePape had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
While not denying the attack, his defence rested on contesting federal prosecutors’ claims that he had targeted Nancy Pelosi in her capacity as a federal official — a key factor in their charges.
Instead, his lawyers argued that DePape was driven to target a number of prominent liberal figures, due to his exposure to a web of obscure conspiracy theories.
In social media posts, DePape shared QAnon theories and false claims that the last US election was stolen.
The trial heard how DePape did not intend to stop his supposed anti-corruption crusade with Pelosi, and had drawn up a list of other targets including a feminist academic whom he accused of turning US schools into “pedophile molestation factories.”
Other personalities the defendant admitted wanting to attack included California Governor Gavin Newsom, President Joe Biden’s son Hunter, and actor Tom Hanks. But jurors rejected DePape’s explanation of the attack, which took place just a few days before the US midterm elections.
DePape’s attack itself became politicized, with some members of the Republican party mocking the incident.
A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi said in a statement following the verdict that the family were “deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and warm wishes,” and said Paul Pelosi “continues to make progress in his recovery.”
“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,” they said.
