Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack pleads not guilty, waives right to speedy trial
Cami Mondeaux
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The man who has been accused of attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their California home in October pleaded not guilty to all state charges, setting the stage for his criminal trial to take place early next year.
David DePape, 42, pleaded not guilty to all state charges levied against him during a court appearance on Wednesday and waived his right to a speedy trial completed within 60 days. The 42-year-old is scheduled to reappear in court in February in order to set a trial date.
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Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was violently attacked in his San Francisco home last week after DePape allegedly broke in to look for the House speaker, according to a federal criminal complaint. During the incident, DePape struck Paul Pelosi with a hammer, causing a skull fracture and serious injuries to his arm and hands, according to a spokesperson for the speaker.
DePape previously pleaded not guilty to the slew of felony charges in November, which include attempted murder, residential burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, false imprisonment of an elder, and threats to a public official. If convicted, he could face 13 years to life with the charges.
Under California law, it is customary to hold an arraignment hearing after the defendant appears in a preliminary hearing. DePape initially appeared in court on Nov. 1 before Wednesday’s hearing.
Shortly after his arrest, DePape told investigators he was looking for Nancy Pelosi and that he planned to kidnap the House speaker to address the “lies coming out of Washington D.C.” Nancy Pelosi was not in California at the time of the attack.
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“I didn’t really want to hurt him, but you know this was a suicide mission. I’m not going to stand here and do nothing even if it cost me my life,” he said, according to court filings.
The California man also told investigators he had plans to target Hunter Biden, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), and actor Tom Hanks as part of his efforts, according to reports.