A man who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer and received a 30-year federal prison sentence has also been found guilty of aggravated kidnapping by a state court, potentially leading to a life sentence.
In addition to the federal conviction, a San Francisco jury convicted David DePape of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening a family member of a public official, dissuading a witness, and aggravated kidnapping.
During closing arguments, DePape’s public defender stated that while DePape was guilty of some charges, there was insufficient evidence for the charges of threatening a family member of a public official and aggravated kidnapping.
Despite the state trial, DePape’s defender argued that it constituted double jeopardy following the federal conviction, leading the judge to dismiss some charges related to the state case.
Prosecutors contended that DePape kidnapped Pelosi with the intention of getting a confession video from Nancy Pelosi, while the defense argued that such a video would hold no value.
The attack on Paul Pelosi, captured on police camera video, resulted in severe injuries, including head wounds and a skull fracture.
DePape admitted to planning to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and harm her if she did not admit to certain allegations.
DePape’s former partner was removed from the courtroom for attempting to influence the jury with conspiracy theories.
DePape’s defense attributed his extreme beliefs to his former partner, who isolated him from his family and caused psychological harm.
Related stories:
Jury convicts man who attacked Paul Pelosi
