David Wayne DePape, 43, was convicted by a federal jury in San Francisco for the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of October 28, 2022, resulted in DePape being found guilty of attempted kidnapping and assault on an immediate family member of a federal official. The federal convictions carry potential prison sentences of up to 20 and 30 years, respectively.
Additionally, DePape faces charges in California state court, including attempted murder, which could result in a sentence ranging from 13 years to life in prison.
The attack on Paul Pelosi, which took place at the Pelosis' San Francisco home while Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, left Paul unconscious and hospitalized with skull fractures and injuries to his hands and right arm. Testifying for the prosecution, Pelosi recounted the traumatic event, stating he woke up on his floor in a "pool of blood" and has tried to avoid reliving the episode, including refraining from watching the video clip of the attack.
Defense attorney Jodi Linker argued that DePape's actions were not driven by Pelosi's official duties as speaker, but rather by his belief in wide-ranging conspiracy theories. DePape, influenced by right-wing conspiracy theories, including QAnon, Holocaust denial, and political accusations against prominent figures, admitted to his actions while testifying in his own defense.
Nancy Pelosi, on behalf of her family, expressed gratitude for the support they received and mentioned Paul Pelosi's ongoing recovery process. The family withheld comments on legal matters due to the pending state case.
The attack has reignited concerns about violence driven by hostile political rhetoric and conspiracy theories, especially given the heightened fears of political violence in the wake of the January 6 Capitol attack. The incident also played a role in Nancy Pelosi's decision to step down from her leadership position in Congress.
In a separate state case, DePape faces additional charges, with a trial date expected to be set later. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins stated that her team is prepared to move forward with their case, confident in the charges they have brought against DePape.
The conviction comes at a time of rising threats against public officials and ongoing discussions about the impact of divisive political discourse on public safety.
