San Francisco Court Sentences David DePape to Life in Prison
In San Francisco, David DePape was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday after being convicted of attacking Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The sentencing comes two years after the shocking assault that left many shaken. DePape’s attack on Paul Pelosi took place during the early hours of October 28, 2022, when he broke into the Pelosi home seeking Nancy Pelosi and wielded a hammer against Paul.
Conviction and Charges
In June, DePape was found guilty of five serious charges, including residential burglary, aggravated kidnapping, attempting to sway a witness, false imprisonment, and threatening a family member of a public official. At his sentencing hearing, which was held just one day after the two-year anniversary of the attack, DePape gave a lengthy and emotional statement where he discussed various conspiracy theories. He claimed that the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were an inside job and made other bizarre declarations about his life, including claims about being a psychic and accusations against his ex-wife.
Courtroom Statements
DePape spoke for more than 45 minutes during his statement, completely disregarding multiple requests from San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman to stay on topic regarding the trial or his crimes. Notably, DePape made no apology to the Pelosi family during his remarks. Judge Dorfman, while delivering his sentence, expressed no sympathy for DePape, saying instead, “I feel sympathy for the victim in this case, who is lucky to be alive.” He stated that what occurred in the courtroom represented justice.
The Victim’s Impact Statement
In a poignant moment, Paul Pelosi’s daughter, Christine Pelosi, delivered a statement on behalf of her father. Paul Pelosi detailed the lasting impacts of the attack, explaining that “sleeping alone in my home still evokes memories of the defendant breaking into my room.” He urged the court to impose the toughest sentence possible, highlighting how the incident has deeply disturbed his life and peace.
Mental Health Considerations
According to reports, both the defense and prosecution acknowledged that DePape likely suffers from schizoaffective disorder, which can lead to delusions and hallucinations. However, when questioned about why he did not enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, DePape’s public defender, Adam Lipson, stated that such a defense did not apply in this case, without providing further detail. He did mention that DePape may have viewed his final statement as “his last chance” to express his beliefs, although it appeared erratic to outside observers.
Future Legal Steps
After the sentencing, Lipson commented to the media that the outcome represented “a really tragic end to a tragic story.” He suggested there were “major appellate issues” within the trial and hinted that an appeal might be forthcoming. Before his state trial, DePape had already received a 30-year prison sentence related to separate federal charges for assaulting a federal official’s family member and attempting to kidnap a federal official.
Final Decision by the Court
Judge Dorfman also ordered that any earnings DePape might make in prison should be paid to the Pelosi family as restitution for the harm caused. The judge denied Lipson’s request for a new trial, addressing concerns regarding the addition of the aggravated kidnapping charge. The prosecution strongly opposed this motion, emphasizing the seriousness of DePape’s actions and the unique nature of his crimes.
The case, and its resolution, highlights ongoing concerns regarding politically motivated violence, mental health issues, and the impact of conspiracy theories on individuals. As the legal proceedings wrap up, the Pelosi family continues to grapple with the emotional toll of the attack, while they seek to reclaim their sense of safety.
