A man who was previously sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for attacking the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with a hammer has now been given a life term without the possibility of parole following a separate state trial. The San Francisco jury found the man guilty of charges including aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment of an elder.
The judge rejected defense attorneys' arguments for a new state trial and sentenced the man to life for the kidnapping conviction. The judge emphasized that the intention is for the man to never be paroled, stating, 'I don’t feel sympathy for you. I feel sympathy for the victim in this case, who’s lucky to be alive.'
The man's mental health and susceptibility to online propaganda were brought up by his defense attorney, who described him as a peaceful individual until his activation. However, the judge handed down the punishment without considering these factors.
During his address to the court, the man made various claims, including conspiracy theories and self-proclaimed psychic abilities. The victim's daughter read a letter in court detailing the traumatic experience her father endured during the attack.
The Pelosi family expressed relief at the sentencing, stating that legal justice has been served. The statement emphasized the importance of condemning political violence against elected officials and their families.
Previously, the man was convicted in federal court for assaulting a federal official's family member and attempting to kidnap a federal official. He received a 30-year sentence in federal prison.
The defense plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that the state trial constituted double jeopardy. The prosecutors acknowledged the seriousness of the man's actions and the harm inflicted on the victim.
The attack on Paul Pelosi, captured on police body camera video, occurred just days before the midterm elections and caused shock in the political world. The man admitted during his federal trial to planning to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and inflict harm if she did not comply with his demands.
