Who is David DePape? Attacker of Paul Pelosi Put Behind Bars

The man who attacked Paul Pelosi, the husband of Democratic California Representative Nancy Pelosi, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday.

David DePape, 44, was convicted on federal charges of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official in November.

DePape broke into the couple’s home in San Francisco on Oct. 28, 2022. He then attacked 82-year-old Paul Pelosi with a hammer, which was captured on police body camera.

DePape demanded to see Nancy Pelosi, who was Speaker of the House at the time. She was not home when the assault occurred.

DePape admitted during trial testimony that he wanted to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and “break her kneecaps” if she lied to him. His attorneys said that his actions were motivated by political beliefs and conspiracy theories.

In a phone call to a California newsroom, DePape said he was “”sorry [he] didn’t get more of them,” allegedly referencing other officials he planned to attack.

Paul Pelosi was hospitalized for multiple injuries. He underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and injuries to his right arm and hands. He was released from the hospital almost one week later, but still had a “long recovery process” ahead, Nancy Pelosi said.

Nancy Pelosi stepped down from the Speaker position three weeks after the attack.

Paul Pelosi recalled the attack during his testimony at DePape’s trial.

“[DePape] had a hammer in his right hand, and so I recognized that he saw the police, I turned and tried to put my hand on his hand on the hammer. And then he just pushed me aside and hit me on the head,” Pelosi said.

He said he did not remember the rest of the attack, just waking up in a pool of blood and being put in an ambulance.

Prosecutors recommended a 40-year sentence for DePape. The maximum sentence was 50 years. The U.S. Probation Office recommended 25 years, followed by five years of supervised release.

The sentencing was originally scheduled for May 22, but the date was moved up due to the court being unavailable.

He was also facing multiple charges at the state level, including attempted murder, residential burglary, seriously injuring an elder adult, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and threatening a public official’s family member. Jury selection for that case begins on May 22.