The man who allegedly broke into US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's home and beat her 82-year-old husband in October pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, local time, to six charges, including attempted murder, prosecutors said.
Authorities said the suspect, David DePape, had planned to kidnap the speaker — who was in Washington at the time of the attack — when he broke into the couple's San Francisco home on October 28.
Instead, the 42-year-old defendant allegedly severely beat her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer in an attack that was witnessed by two police officers and news of which shocked the political world.
Paul Pelosi was knocked unconscious and woke up in a pool of his own blood.
He later underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture as well as serious injuries to his right arm and hands.
He has since appeared in public wearing a hat and a glove covering his wounds.
Earlier this month, a judge ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence during a preliminary hearing to move forward.
Wednesday's appearance was another arraignment, a procedural move where the defendant enters a plea on the charges that will be brought to trial.
Mr DePape is still being held without bail and his state case is due to return to court on February 23, 2023.
The public defender's office declined to comment on the matter.
A federal case in which Mr DePape has also pleaded not guilty is also ongoing.
He is charged in state court with attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary, elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and threatening a family member of a public official.
During the preliminary hearing earlier this month, a San Francisco police investigator testified that Mr DePape said there was "evil in Washington", and he was looking to harm Ms Pelosi because she is second in line for the presidency.
Authorities have said Mr DePape was drawn to conspiracy theories.
Mr DePape allegedly told police that he wanted to hold the Democratic leader hostage and "break her kneecaps" to show other members of Congress there were "consequences to actions".
In November, Ms Pelosi said she would step down as the Democrats' leader in the House after two decades but remain in congress, representing the people of San Francisco.
She and Mr Pelosi have been married for nearly 60 years.
AP
