The man suspected of attacking former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) husband Paul with a hammer was found guilty during his federal trial.
The federal jury began deliberating Wednesday before it reached a verdict on Thursday morning, finding David DePape guilty. He could potentially face life in prison.
During a several-day-long trial this week, Mr. DePape said that he was “sorry that he got hurt,” referring to 83-year-old Paul Pelosi. “I reacted because my plan was basically ruined,” he added.
Mr. Pelosi suffered a skull fracture after he was hit in the head with a hammer during the Oct. 28, 2022, incident, which occurred at his San Francisco home and just days before last year’s midterm elections. His wife, then-Speaker Pelosi, wasn’t home at the time.
According to police body camera footage that was taken during the night of the attack, officers open the door and see Mr. DePape, 43, and Mr. Pelosi both holding what appears to be a hammer. As police tell Mr. DePape to drop the tool he tells them he will not before grabbing the hammer and is then seen striking Mr. Pelosi off-camera.
Other footage that was released by police this year appears to show Mr. DePape breaking into the Pelosi home.
He was charged with attempted kidnapping and assault on account of a federal official’s performance of official duties. The jury convicted him on both charges, while he pleaded not guilty.
During testimony this week, Mr. Pelosi said that he was awoken that night when Mr. DePape entered his bedroom door holding ties and a hammer. The suspect repeatedly said, “Where’s Nancy,” referring to his wife, according to Mr. Pelosi.
“I recognized I was in serious danger, so I tried to stay as calm as possible,” he testified.
After the guilty verdict was handed down Thursday, the Pelosi family released a statement saying they are thankful 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,” the spokesperson said. “Thankfully, Mr. Pelosi continues to make progress in his recovery.”
His former girlfriend and the mother of his children recently told the New York Post that Mr. DePape appeared to be under duress during the trial, claiming that he was pressured by officials.
“His testimony lasted about 15 to 20 minutes, but he broke down and cried three or four times,” Ms. Taub, a pro-nudist activist, told the paper. “It was as if he wasn’t even present in the room and sat there, frozen.”
She claimed that she “already had doubts that his confession to police was false because it was only on audio, but I am glad the jury was able to see him testify and will be able to decide on the authenticity of that confession.”
Mr. DePape still faces state charges, including attempted murder, in connection to the attack. He has pleaded guilty to those charges, too.
Lear Zhou contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times
