David DePape, who was found guilty of assaulting Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been sentenced to life in prison. The sentence was announced on Tuesday after DePape addressed the court, covering a range of bizarre topics including conspiracy theories and claims of being psychic.
In 2022, DePape broke into the Pelosi home, demanding to see Nancy Pelosi, who was not there at the time. He confronted her husband, Paul, leading to a violent attack captured on a police body camera. Paul was hospitalized with serious injuries, including a skull fracture.
A jury in California convicted DePape on several charges in June, including aggravated kidnapping and first-degree burglary. In addition, he faced federal charges for attempted kidnapping and assaulting a family member of a federal official, resulting in a 30-year prison term for those offenses.
During Tuesday’s hearing, DePape’s lawyer requested a new trial, citing his client’s mental health struggles and internet influence. However, Judge Harry Dorfman denied the request, making it clear he intended for DePape to serve his sentence without the possibility of parole.
Paul Pelosi’s daughter, Christine, read a letter written by her father, stressing the impact of the attack on his life. Paul recounted the traumatic moment when DePape confronted him with a hammer, demanding to know where Nancy was, noting that it shattered his sense of security. He described the lasting physical effects of the attack, including a metal plate in his head and nerve damage.
Ultimately, DePape will serve his state sentence concurrently with his federal sentence, ensuring he will spend significant time behind bars.