DePape found guilty of all charges in state trial for Paul Pelosi attack

(KRON) — A verdict has been reached in the state trial of David DePape, the man who bludgeoned Paul Pelosi with a hammer in his San Francisco home in 2022. He was found guilty of false imprisonment, residential burglary, threatening a family member of a public official, attempting to sway a witness and aggravated kidnapping.

On Oct. 28, 2022, DePape broke into the Pelosis’ home and attempted to hold Paul Pelosi hostage. He admitted that his intention was to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and “break her kneecaps” if she did not admit to the lies he said she told about “Russiagate,” a reference to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

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Paul Pelosi was 82 years old at the time of the attack.

DePape, 44, was already sentenced to 30 years in prison by a federal judge for the attempted kidnapping of a federal official, and assault on a family member of a federal official. His sentence from the state trial will run concurrently with the 30 years he received from the federal judge.

DePape’s public defender Adam Lipson Lipson told the jury during closing arguments that before the attack, DePape was living an isolated, lonely life and “went down the rabbit hole of propaganda and conspiracy theories.”

“I would like to thank the jury for their service,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “The jury’s verdict delivers justice and ensures that Mr. DePape will face consequences for his heinous crimes against the Pelosi family and our democracy.”

A spokesman for Nancy Pelosi put out the following statement on behalf of the Pelosi family:

“Speaker Pelosi and her family remain in awe of their Pop’s bravery, which shone through again on the witness stand in this trial just as it did when he saved his own life on the night of the attack.  For nearly 20 grueling months, Mr. Pelosi has demonstrated extraordinary courage and fortitude every day of his recovery.  The Pelosi family is grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers they continue to receive.

“Speaker Pelosi and her family will refrain from further substantive comment until sentencing is complete.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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