Paul Pelosi attacker gets life in prison without parole

David DePape, the man who broke into the home of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and assaulted her husband Paul Pelosi with a hammer, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole on state charges in California. This sentence follows his earlier federal conviction, which added a 30-year prison term to his penalties. Both sentences will run concurrently.

A San Francisco jury found DePape convicted of kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment of an elder during the state trial. The October 2022 attack left Paul Pelosi, now 84, hospitalized for six days with severe injuries, including a fractured skull. The violent incident has been a point of contention around political violence, raising concerns across the nation about the safety of public officials and their families.

Following the sentencing, the Pelosi family issued a statement noting that justice had been achieved through the legal process. They conveyed the lasting trauma caused by the attack, describing how the violent break-in and demands for Nancy Pelosi continue to affect them daily, with constant reminders of the assault and fears of potential future threats. The family expressed hope that the sentence would discourage political violence against officials and their families.

DePape’s attorney, Adam Lipson, announced plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that DePape’s struggles with mental health issues and isolation had made him vulnerable to harmful influences. Lipson sought a more lenient sentence based on these factors. However, Judge Harry Dorfman remained firm, expressing sympathy for the victim and stating that it was his intent for DePape to remain in prison without the possibility of parole.

The incident took place in the early morning of October 28, 2022. Video footage from that night, shown during the trial, revealed DePape breaking into the Pelosi residence in San Francisco. When he encountered Paul Pelosi, DePape demanded to know the whereabouts of Nancy Pelosi, who was not home at the time. Police responding to a 911 call found DePape and Paul Pelosi each holding onto the hammer. Despite orders to drop the weapon, DePape abruptly struck Paul Pelosi in the head, causing significant injuries before officers subdued and arrested him. Body camera footage captured the attack, documenting the traumatic sequence of events.

Mr. Pelosi sustained multiple injuries, including a fractured skull and damage to his arm and hand, resulting in long-term nerve damage. During the federal trial, DePape admitted to plotting to interrogate Nancy Pelosi on camera, threatening to “break her kneecaps” if she did not comply with his demands.

At the state trial, Christine Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, read a letter on behalf of her father, detailing the lasting impact of the assault. Paul Pelosi expressed fear of sleeping alone at home and ongoing struggles with nerve damage due to the attack.

During the proceedings, DePape voiced various conspiracy theories, including allegations about the 9/11 attacks, and insisted that his government-appointed attorneys were plotting against him. Judge Dorfman was forced to intervene multiple times to maintain court decorum.

As DePape prepares to appeal the sentence, the Pelosi family and the public reflect on the heightened dangers faced by public officials and their families in the current political climate.