Paul Pelosi Attacker David DePape Found Guilty of Assault and Attempted Kidnapping
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A jury found DePape guilty of both federal charges on Thursday, just over one year after he was accused of attacking Paul with a hammer and planning to kidnap then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
David DePape, the man accused of brutally attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer, has been found guilty of attempted kidnapping and of assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. He now faces life in prison.
The verdict in DePape's federal trial was reached on Thursday, a little over one year after he was accused of entering the Pelosis' home last October with an intent to kidnap then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Related: Paul Pelosi Attack Suspect David DePape Begins Federal Trial with Threat of Life in Prison
The attack occurred on Oct. 28, 2022, after DePape, 43, reportedly broke into the Pelosis' home and woke Paul, then 82, demanding to speak to his wife.
In a press conference following the attack, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said that officers arrived at the house shortly before 2:30 a.m. local time to conduct a wellness check. Inside, they allegedly encountered Paul and DePape both holding onto a hammer. Then, Scott said, "the suspect pulled the hammer away from Mr. Pelosi and violently assaulted him with it."
"Our officers immediately tackled the suspect, disarmed him, took him into custody, requested emergency backup and rendered medical aid," Scott added.
Body camera footage offered further details of the incident, showing how police told the suspect to drop the hammer. "Nope," he replied. Within seconds, the man then wound up his arm and attacked Paul in front of the policemen, who swiftly moved in and tackled the assailant to the ground.
Audio from a 911 call Paul made prior to the attack was also released. In it, a dispatcher asks Paul whether he needed help.
"There is a human here just waiting for my wife to come back," Paul responded, adding, "Nancy Pelosi."
"He's just waiting for her to come back, but she's not going to be here for days, so I guess I'll have to wait," Paul continued.
According to U.S. Capitol Police, who assisted with the investigation, Nancy was in Washington, D.C. with her protective detail at the time of the attack.
Related: Capitol Police Monitoring 'Thousands' of Cases Across U.S. Following Paul Pelosi Hammer Attack
Paul suffered a fractured skull and other serious injuries as a result of the attack and successfully underwent surgery to repair his skull on the same day the incident occurred.
In addition to two federal charges, DePape faces a slew of charges from the San Francisco District Attorney, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary and other felonies.
A date for DePape's state trial will be determined on Nov. 29.
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