A man who bludgeoned former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer has been convicted of aggravated kidnapping and other charges in a state court trial. The defendant, David DePape, was sentenced to 30 years in federal court for the attack on Paul Pelosi, and now faces additional charges that could result in a possible life sentence.
In addition to aggravated kidnapping, DePape was found guilty of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening a family member of a public official, and dissuading a witness. The attack on Paul Pelosi left him with severe injuries, including head wounds and a skull fracture that required surgical intervention.
During the trial, DePape's defense argued that the state charges constituted double jeopardy following his federal conviction. However, the judge dismissed certain charges, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, while upholding others.
Prosecutors presented evidence that DePape planned to confront and potentially harm Nancy Pelosi during the attack. DePape admitted to intending to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and extract a confession from her regarding his beliefs about the 'Russiagate' investigation.
The trial also revealed DePape's descent into extremist beliefs and conspiracy theories, influenced in part by his former partner, who was expelled from the courtroom for attempting to tamper with the jury. The partner, Gypsy Taub, distributed materials promoting conspiracy theories outside the courthouse, leading to her removal from the proceedings.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors painted a picture of DePape's calculated plan to terrorize Paul Pelosi, emphasizing the severity of the attack and its impact on the victim and his family. The jury ultimately found DePape guilty of the charges brought against him, ensuring that he will face the consequences of his actions.
