Recently, a state jury has rendered a verdict in the case against David DePape, finding him guilty on all counts related to a harrowing home invasion and assault on Paul Pelosi, husband of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The incident, which occurred in October 2022, involved DePape breaking into the Pelosi residence in San Francisco.
DePape faced multiple serious charges including aggravated kidnapping resulting in bodily harm or death, false imprisonment of an elder or dependent adult, threatening public officials’ families, first-degree residential burglary, and intimidating witnesses through force or threat. The jury, after deliberations, reached a unanimous decision on all counts, concluding a trial that began in San Francisco.
During the trial, San Francisco Public Defender Adam Lipson argued that DePape had been influenced by conspiracy theories, leading him to commit the crime. The defense portrayed DePape as someone who had become isolated and immersed in extremist beliefs.
Paul Pelosi, who bravely testified during the trial, recounted the traumatic attack where DePape assaulted him with a hammer. Pelosi’s resilience and courage throughout the ordeal were highlighted by his family spokesperson, Aaron Bennett, who expressed gratitude for the support received during the challenging recovery period.
David DePape had previously been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in a separate trial related to the same incident, where he was found guilty of attempting to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and assaulting her husband. The severity of the attack, captured on police bodycam footage following Pelosi’s 911 call, underscored the gravity of the crime.
The assault on Paul Pelosi occurred just before the 2022 midterm elections, causing significant shock within the political landscape and prompting discussions about the implications of increasingly hostile political rhetoric.
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In a recent procedural decision, the judge in the state trial dismissed three counts against DePape—attempted murder, assault of an elder, and assault with a deadly weapon—citing double jeopardy concerns raised by the defense. This ruling followed the initial federal sentencing and allowed for focused deliberation on the remaining charges.
The Pelosi family, while appreciative of the support received, has opted to withhold further comments until sentencing proceedings are concluded. The case has drawn attention not only for its impact on the Pelosi family but also for its broader implications regarding the safety of public officials and their families in an increasingly polarized political climate.
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