David DePape was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole following his conviction on state charges in the 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The assault, occurring on October 28, 2022, just before the midterm elections, shocked the nation and was seen as a symptom of intensifying political tensions. Officers responding to a 911 call found Pelosi and DePape struggling, with DePape ultimately attacking Pelosi with a hammer, an incident captured on police bodycam footage.
In his state trial, DePape faced multiple charges, including aggravated kidnapping, false imprisonment of an elder, and first-degree residential burglary. The judge rejected a motion for a retrial, emphasizing that DePape “will never get out of prison.” Before the sentencing, DePape addressed the court with statements rooted in conspiracy theories, further expressing bizarre beliefs about government plots and claiming psychic abilities.
Paul Pelosi, represented by a statement from his daughter Christine, described the physical and psychological toll of the attack, stating, “the last peaceful sleep I had was Oct. 28, 2022.” A statement from the Pelosi family expressed gratitude to first responders and the trauma team who treated Pelosi. DePape’s state life sentence will run concurrently with his 30-year federal sentence, though the facility where he will serve remains undetermined.
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