A San Francisco judge sentenced David Wayne DePape to life in prison without parole. The sentencing follows DePape’s brutal attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Conviction and Sentencing
Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman handed down the life sentence. DePape’s June conviction included charges of aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment of an elder. The attack occurred in October 2022 when Paul Pelosi was 82 years old.
DePape broke into the Pelosi home carrying zip ties and a hammer. He searched for Nancy Pelosi, who was not present at the time. During the assault, DePape shouted, “Where’s Nancy?”, echoing rhetoric used by Capitol rioters on January 6, 2021. The attack left Paul Pelosi bleeding and unconscious.
The Pelosi family expressed relief after the sentencing, calling it “legal justice served.” They praised Paul Pelosi’s courage during the assault and throughout the trial. In their statement, they described ongoing emotional pain, saying, “Not a day goes by that we don’t think about this devastating assault.”
Details of the Attack and Legal Arguments
This life sentence follows a prior sentence from U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Corley. Judge Corley sentenced DePape to 30 years in federal prison for attempting to kidnap a federal official and assaulting a federal official’s family member.
DePape’s defense team requested a lighter sentence, citing his troubled upbringing and history of abusive relationships. His attorneys claimed DePape was “radicalized” by extreme media content. They also argued DePape’s actions were impulsive, noting he was aware of security cameras but still broke into the Pelosi home. His defense highlighted that he was surprised to find Paul Pelosi still sleeping after entering through a broken window.
When confronted, Paul Pelosi asked why DePape wanted to see Nancy Pelosi. DePape allegedly responded, “Well, she’s No. 2 in line for the presidency, right? We’ve got to take them all out.”
Paul Pelosi managed to call 911, but DePape struck him in the head with a hammer just before police arrived. The blow knocked him unconscious. Officers subdued and disarmed DePape upon arrival, ending the attack.
In a letter to Judge Dorfman, Paul Pelosi described his ongoing physical and emotional suffering. He wrote about his head, arm, and hand injuries, detailing his daily struggle with pain. He said he often needs to sleep during the day and avoid bright lights and loud noises. Paul Pelosi’s letter concluded with a request for the harshest punishment possible for DePape.