Federal jury convicts man in hammer assault on Pelosi’s husband

Nov 16 (Reuters) – A federal jury on Thursday convicted a right-wing conspiracy theorist of a hammer assault on the husband of former U.S. Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, prosecutors mentioned.

David Wayne DePape, 43, broke into the Pelosis’ San Francisco dwelling and struck Paul Pelosi over the pinnacle with a hammer within the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2022, whereas Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, was nonetheless speaker and away in Washington.

The San Francisco jury, which had deliberated since noon Wednesday, discovered him responsible of tried kidnapping and assault of a right away member of the family of a federal official, a spokesperson for the U.S. Lawyer’s workplace mentioned.

The crimes carry potential jail sentences of 20 years and 30 years, respectively, underneath federal sentencing tips.

DePape additionally faces additional expenses together with tried homicide in California state court docket that carry a possible sentence of 13 years to life in jail.

Nancy Pelosi issued a press release on behalf of her household thanking individuals for his or her assist and saying Paul Pelosi continues to make progress on his restoration, however withheld touch upon authorized issues as a result of the state case was nonetheless pending.

“The Pelosi household could 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 assertion mentioned.

Paul Pelosi was knocked unconscious and hospitalized for a number of days, present process surgical procedure for cranium fractures. He additionally sustained accidents to his palms and proper arm.

Testifying for the prosecution, Pelosi mentioned he has tried to not relive the episode, together with by avoiding the video clip of him being attacked, however that he did bear in mind waking up on his ground in a “pool of blood.”

Protection legal professional Jodi Linker argued in the course of the trial that DePape didn’t commit a federal crime as a result of he was not pushed by Pelosi’s official duties as speaker. As a substitute, she argued, DePape’s agency perception in wide-ranging however misguided conspiracy theories motivated him to carry down the rich and highly effective ruling class.

Linker let most of the information of the case go uncontested because the hammer strike was recorded by police physique cameras and DePape admitted to his actions whereas testifying in his personal protection.

Proof confirmed DePape was pushed by right-wing conspiracy theories, embracing the fictions unfold by QAnon, questioning the Holocaust, and feeding off political accusations in opposition to Hunter Biden, the president’s son, and George Soros, the billionaire Holocaust survivor.

After video of the assault was made public, right-wing media continued to advertise unfounded claims concerning the assault, imagining some gay relationship between the 2 males as a result of Pelosi was in sleepwear shorts.

DePape advised the jury he needed to kidnap Nancy Pelosi, interrogate her, and break her kneecaps if he discovered her to be mendacity. However after breaking into the house he as a substitute discovered her husband, then age 82, asleep in his mattress. DePape mentioned the assault was a response to his unique plan going awry.

“He was by no means my goal and I am sorry that he bought damage,” DePape mentioned.

Police recovered zip ties within the bed room and within the hallway close to the entrance door, plus a roll of tape, rope, a second hammer, a pair of gloves and a journal in DePape’s backpack, in response to court docket data.

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.