Alleged Paul Pelosi attacker David DePape indicted by federal grand jury
Brady Knox
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The man who allegedly attacked Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), with a hammer has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault against a family member of a federal official.
David DePape, 42, is charged with one count of assault upon an immediate family member of a U.S. official with the intent to retaliate against the official on account of the performance of official duties, which carries a maximum of 30 years in prison, and he is charged with one count of attempted kidnapping of a U.S. official on account of the performance of official duties, a count that carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
ALLEGED PELOSI ATTACKER DAVID DEPAPE PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN COURT APPEARANCE
The indictment supersedes the federal criminal complaint filed on Oct. 31. DePape is also facing state charges, and he has pleaded not guilty to them.
DePape was arrested on Oct. 28 inside the Pelosi residence by San Francisco police officers responding to a 911 call from Paul Pelosi, the Justice Department said in a statement. Paul Pelosi later told police that he had been asleep when DePape, whom he had never seen before, entered his bedroom looking for Nancy Pelosi, the statement added.
The indictment offers some clarifying information, including that Paul Pelosi “made clear” in the 911 call that he did not know who the intruder was, and from the background, DePape “can be heard giving his name as ‘David’ and declaring himself a ‘friend.’” The indictment also gives further details on what transpired when police responded to the home and the struggle over a hammer both men were gripping in which DePape then swung at Paul Pelosi after saying “ummm nope” when an officer demanded the hammer be dropped.
“As the officers rushed through the door, they found Mr. Pelosi and DEPAPE on the floor, with DEPAPE’s legs on top of Mr. Pelosi. Officers restrained DEPAPE and called for medical assistance, as a pool of blood swelled around Mr. Pelosi’s head,” the indictment adds.
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Paul Pelosi, 82, had a fractured skull and other injuries. He underwent surgery and was released from the hospital but remains under medical care.
Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Thursday that her husband “remains under doctors’ care” as he continues his “long recovery process.” Authorities have said Nancy Pelosi was the attacker’s intended target, among others. The speaker has said the attack will be factored into her decision about her political future.