The person who broke into former US Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s dwelling in 2022 and attacked her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in jail, federal prosecutors mentioned.
In a politically motivated assault, David DePape compelled his method into Pelosi’s San Francisco dwelling early on the morning of October 28, 2022, only a week earlier than that yr’s congressional elections. On the time, Pelosi, Speaker of the Home of Representatives, was in Washington.
DePape, who prosecutors say was pushed by far-right conspiracy theories referred to as QAnon, acknowledged in his trial testimony that his intention was to take Pelosi hostage.
DePape, 44, confronted Pelosi’s husband, Paul, and hit him within the head with a hammer earlier than police who had been referred to as to the scene may subdue the attacker. A jury discovered DePape responsible in November of making an attempt to kidnap a federal officer and assaulting a right away member of the family of a federal officer.
Paul Pelosi, 82, suffered cranium fractures and different accidents that proceed to have an effect on him, as he described in a letter to the choose earlier than Friday’s sentencing. Along with dizziness and a metallic plate that is still in his head, Pelosi mentioned he has issues with steadiness and has everlasting nerve harm in his left hand.
In a separate letter, Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat who was the primary lady elected speaker of the Home of Representatives, urged the choose to impose a “very lengthy” punishment.
He famous that DePape reportedly yelled “The place’s Nancy?” by breaking into his dwelling, echoing what some intruders shouted contained in the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, when a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the constructing in search of to overturn the election of President Joe Biden.
Prosecutors had requested U.S. District Decide Jacqueline Scott Corley in federal court docket in San Francisco to condemn DePape, a Canadian citizen residing illegally in the US, to 40 years in jail.
In court docket papers, the Justice Division argued that whereas he was not convicted of a terrorism crime, his crimes met the definition as a result of their aim was to have an effect on the federal government by means of “intimidation or coercion.” Prosecutors additionally mentioned DePape had proven no regret for his actions.
DePape’s court-appointed protection legal professional had requested for a 14-year sentence, saying he had spiraled out within the years earlier than the assault due partly to an abusive relationship.
DePape nonetheless faces separate state prices stemming from the raid and assault on Pelosi, together with tried homicide, which carry a doable sentence of 13 years to life in jail. He has pleaded not responsible.
In a press release after Friday’s sentencing, a spokesperson for Pelosi mentioned, “The Pelosi household couldn’t be extra happy with their father and his large braveness in saving his personal life the night time of the assault and in testifying on this case,” referring to Paul Pelosi’s household nickname.
