SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A man who violently attacked Paul Pelosi, husband of former United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. The attacker, David DePape, was convicted of assault and attempted kidnapping of a federal official last year after the incident that took place in October 2022.
During the trial in a San Francisco federal court, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley emphasized the severity of the offense and handed down the 30-year sentence for assault and 20 years for attempted kidnapping. DePape, a Canadian citizen residing in the US, had broken into the Pelosis’ home with a hammer, intending to confront Nancy but ended up attacking her husband instead.
Paul Pelosi, who was 83 years old at the time of the attack, suffered multiple injuries including a fractured skull, which led to hospitalization for nearly a week. Prosecutors had sought a 40-year sentence for DePape following his conviction on charges of assault and attempted kidnapping of a federal official.
The violent incident unfolded as DePape entered the Pelosis’ residence looking for Nancy and threatened to harm her if she did not confess to alleged falsehoods of the Democratic Party. When police arrived, they found DePape and Paul struggling with a hammer, resulting in DePape striking Paul before being apprehended. Body camera footage captured the entire altercation.
In court, DePape claimed he was searching for Nancy Pelosi and expressed surprise and confusion upon encountering her husband. Despite his original plan being thwarted, he admitted to hitting Paul in the head out of frustration. A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi’s family commended Paul’s bravery for his actions during the attack and subsequent testimony.
The Pelosi family expressed immense gratitude for the outpouring of support and well-wishes received during Paul’s recovery process. The sentencing of DePape serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of violent acts against public officials and their loved ones, reinforcing the importance of upholding the rule of law in ensuring justice and accountability.