David DePape, the man who brutally attacked Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
At a Glance
- David DePape received a life sentence without parole for attacking Paul Pelosi.
- The sentencing was carried out by a San Francisco judge in state court.
- DePape was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment of an elder.
- Paul Pelosi suffered significant injuries, including a skull fracture and nerve damage.
- The Pelosi family expressed relief, emphasizing the importance of deterring political violence.
Life Sentence Handed Down
In a San Francisco courtroom, David DePape was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his brutal attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The sentencing, carried out by Judge Harry Dorfman, comes after DePape was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment of an elder.
Judge Dorfman denied a request for a new state trial and emphasized the finality of the sentence, stating, “It’s my intention that Mr. DePape will never get out of prison, he can never be paroled.” This state sentence will run concurrently with a 30-year federal prison sentence DePape received for related charges.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
The attack occurred on October 28, 2022, just days before the midterm elections, raising concerns about political violence. Paul Pelosi suffered significant injuries, including a skull fracture and nerve damage. The incident was captured on police body camera footage, showing the altercation between DePape and Pelosi.
“Today’s sentence of life without parole gives our Pop some measure of legal justice and, we hope, a message to others that political violence against elected officials or their family members will not be tolerated, minimized or condoned. We must each do our part to build a peaceful democracy.” – Pelosi family
During his federal trial, DePape admitted that he intended to harm Nancy Pelosi if she did not confess to alleged lies. However, at the state sentencing, he made bizarre claims and showed no remorse for his actions. DePape’s defense attorney, Adam Lipson, described him as “a man who has always been a peaceful, law-abiding person up until his activation,” suggesting a sudden change in behavior.
Addressing Political Violence
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins emphasized the importance of addressing political violence, stating, “We cannot allow political violence to become normalized and we must take swift action to ensure there are serious consequences for those who will utilize violence to intimidate or stifle our elected leaders for doing what they have been elected to do.”
The attack on Paul Pelosi has highlighted the risks faced by political figures and their families. It has also brought attention to the potential dangers of conspiracy theories, as DePape had been involved with ideas like Pizzagate and QAnon before the attack. The Pelosi family’s statement emphasized the need for collective action to maintain a peaceful democracy and deter future acts of political violence.
As the legal proceedings conclude, the impact of this attack continues to resonate, serving as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of political extremism and the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions and those who serve them.
Sources:
- Man Who Attacked Paul Pelosi Is Sentenced to Life in Prison
- Man serving 30 years for attacking Nancy Pelosi’s husband gets a life term on state charges
- Paul Pelosi Attacker David DePape Receives Life in Prison
