Attempted Kidnapping Of Nancy Pelosi: Attacker Sentenced To 30 Years

In a significant development, David DePape, the man responsible for the harrowing attempted kidnapping of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the brutal assault on her husband, has been handed a 30-year prison sentence by Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley.

DePape, 44, was found guilty last November on charges of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. The prosecution had sought a 40-year prison term, but ultimately, the judge decided on a 30-year sentence.

With one count resulting in a 20-year term and the other count leading to 30 years, the sentences will run concurrently. DePape, who has been in custody for the past 18 months, was granted credit for time served.

During the sentencing, DePape stood in silence, occasionally looking down, as Judge Corley delivered the verdict. His defense attorneys had requested a 14-year sentence, emphasizing the challenging circumstances he was going through and his lack of prior criminal history.

Judge Corley, while pronouncing the sentence, took into account the unprecedented nature of DePape’s actions—breaking into the home of a public official. “He actually went to the home, which is completely, completely unprecedented,” she remarked.

Prior to the sentencing, Christine Pelosi, speaking on behalf of her parents, read victim impact statements that shed light on the profound impact of the violent attack on their lives.

Aaron Bennett, spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi, expressed the family’s pride in Paul Pelosi’s remarkable courage in saving his own life during the night of the attack and testifying in the case.

The Pelosi family also expressed immense gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers they have received during Mr. Pelosi’s ongoing recovery.

Throughout the trial, DePape admitted to breaking into the Pelosis’ San Francisco home on October 28, 2022, with the intention of holding the speaker hostage and resorting to violence if she deceived him.

He also confessed to assaulting Paul Pelosi with a hammer when the police arrived, stating that his plan to combat what he perceived as government corruption was unraveling.

The harrowing assault on 82-year-old Paul Pelosi, captured on police body camera footage just days before the midterm elections, sent shockwaves through the political world.

In his defense, DePape’s attorneys argued that his actions were motivated by his political beliefs, rather than an attempt to interfere with Nancy Pelosi ‘s official duties as a member of Congress, thus invalidating the charges against him.

Angela Chuang, one of his attorneys, claimed during closing arguments that DePape had become consumed by conspiracy theories.

During the trial, DePape, a Canadian who had been residing in the United States for over two decades, testified that he believed news outlets consistently lied about former President Donald Trump.

In now-deleted blog posts and online forum rants, DePape echoed the baseless and right-wing QAnon conspiracy theory, alleging the existence of a devil-worshipping pedophile ring in the U.S. government.

DePape further revealed to the jury that he had planned to don an inflatable unicorn costume and record his interrogation of the Democratic speaker, although she was absent from the house during the attack, with the intention of uploading the footage online. Detectives discovered rope, zip ties, body cameras, a computer, and a tablet on his person.

Paul Pelosi, testifying at the trial, recounted being abruptly awakened by a large intruder bursting into their bedroom, demanding to know Nancy’s whereabouts. When Paul informed DePape that his wife was in Washington, DePape threatened to restrain him until her return.

This sentencing marks an important milestone in the pursuit of justice for the Pelosi family, as they continue to recover from the traumatic incident.

The court’s decision serves as a stern reminder of the consequences for those who would attempt to harm public officials and disrupt the fabric of our democracy.

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