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 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 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
This is a breaking news update. More information to be added as available.
