A federal jury has convicted the suspect accused of the violent hammer assault towards Paul Pelosi at his and former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco dwelling final yr.
The jury started deliberating Wednesday afternoon earlier than reaching a verdict late Thursday morning, discovering David DePape responsible on each federal counts.
Pelosi, 83, suffered a cranium fracture after being struck within the head with a hammer in the course of the early morning assault on Oct. 28, 2022, which occurred simply days earlier than the midterm elections, police stated.
DePape, 43, was arrested on the scene and subsequently charged with tried kidnapping and assault on account of a federal official’s efficiency of official duties. The costs carry a most sentence of 20 years and 30 years, respectively, in jail. He has pleaded not responsible.
Paul Pelosi attends a portrait unveiling ceremony for his spouse, Speaker of the Home Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in Statuary Corridor on the Capitol, Dec. 14, 2022, in Washington.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Whereas on the stand in the course of the trial, DePape stated he went to the house to speak to Rep. Pelosi about Russian interference within the 2016 election and that her husband was “by no means my goal,” in accordance with The Related Press.
“I am sorry that he bought damage,” he stated.
“I reacted as a result of my plan was mainly ruined,” he stated.
Whereas testifying in the course of the trial on Nov. 13, Pelosi stated he was alone within the dwelling whereas Rep. Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., when DePape burst by means of his bed room door holding a hammer in a single hand and a few ties within the different, repeatedly asking, “The place’s Nancy?”
“I acknowledged I used to be in critical hazard, so I attempted to remain as calm as potential,” Pelosi testified.
In an announcement following the decision, a spokesperson for the Pelosi household stated they’re “deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and heat needs for Mr. Pelosi from so many throughout the nation throughout this tough time.”
“The Pelosi household may be very pleased with their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and braveness on the evening of the assault a yr in the past and within the courtroom this week,” the spokesperson stated. “Fortunately, Mr. Pelosi continues to make progress in his restoration.”
The incident was captured on police physique digicam video.
The footage, launched earlier this yr to information organizations, reveals officers arriving on the residence. When the door is opened, Pelosi is seen standing subsequent to DePape and each are struggling over a hammer. One of many officers says, “Drop the hammer.”
This nonetheless picture from a San Francisco Police Division police body-cam video ordered launched by San Francisco Superior Court docket, reveals suspect David DePape (L) assaulting Paul Pelosi, husband of former Speaker of the Home Nancy Pelosi, at their San Francisco dwelling, Oct. 28, 2022.
San Francisco Police Division/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
DePape is then seen gaining management of the hammer and swinging it at Pelosi. The footage doesn’t present the second Pelosi was struck. The officers then enter the house and work to restrain DePape as Pelosi is seen mendacity on the bottom.
Prosecutors confirmed jurors physique digicam footage from the incident, together with video of DePape admitting to the assault whereas talking to police exterior the Pelosis’ dwelling.
Paul Pelosi was hospitalized for six days and returned dwelling to recuperate.
“I’ve tried placing it out of my thoughts,” he stated. “I made the very best effort potential to not relive it.”
Federal prosecutor Laura Vartain Horn stated DePape began planning the assault in August 2022 and paid a public data service to search out details about Rep. Pelosi and others, in accordance with the AP.
“The proof on this case goes to indicate that when the defendant used this hammer to interrupt into the Pelosi’s dwelling he supposed to kidnap Nancy Pelosi,” Vartain Horn stated in opening statements, in accordance with the AP.
The protection has not disputed that DePape attacked Pelosi, however has challenged the costs that DePape was trying to intervene with Rep. Pelosi’s official duties, telling jurors her shopper believed he was attempting to cease authorities corruption, the AP reported.
“This isn’t a ‘whodunit.’ However what the federal government fails to acknowledge is the ‘whydunit,’ and the why issues on this case,” she stated, in accordance with the AP.
David DePape in Berkeley, Calif., Dec. 13, 2013.
Michael Brief/San Francisco Chronicle by way of Getty Photographs
Officers stated they found zip ties on the scene together with rope, tape and different issues in DePape’s backpack.
DePape informed investigators he was “going to carry Nancy hostage and discuss to her,” in accordance with authorities. If she informed the reality, he stated he “would let her go, and if she ‘lied,’ he was going to interrupt ‘her kneecaps,'” the grievance stated.
DePape additionally faces state fees within the incident. He pleaded not responsible to state fees together with tried homicide, residential housebreaking and assault with a lethal weapon. A state trial date has not but been scheduled.
ABC Information’ Jaclyn Lee and Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.
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