David DePape, the man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer, was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in a federal courtroom in San Francisco. The prosecutors had asked for a 40-year prison term, but DePape’s defense argued for a shorter sentence of 14 years, citing his lack of prior criminal history and the remorse he expressed. However, the judge determined that DePape remained dangerous based on his statements about attacking other targets despite apologizing to his victims. She emphasized that DePape’s actions created an unprecedented threat for all public officials to consider the risk their jobs might pose to their family members.
DePape was given credit for the 18 months he had already served in custody and received the maximum sentence for each count he faced, which was 20 years for one count and 30 years for the second count, to run concurrently. He was tried late last year for attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official, with jurors convicting him on both counts. DePape’s break-in at the Pelosi home in October 2022 led to both federal and state charges, with a second trial in state court set to start soon. Nancy Pelosi requested a “very long” sentence for DePape in a letter to the court, expressing fear and pain from the attack, while Paul Pelosi’s victim statement detailed the ongoing health impacts he suffered from the vicious assault.
During the trial, Christine Pelosi read the victim impact statements on behalf of her parents, bringing color and emotion to the testimony. DePape admitted to breaking into the Pelosi’s home with the intent to hold the speaker hostage and harm her if she lied to him. He also confessed to attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer when the police arrived, as he felt his plan to end what he perceived as government corruption was falling apart. The attack on Paul Pelosi, who was 82 at the time, resulted in severe health issues, including dizziness, headaches, balance problems, nerve pain, and walking challenges that he continues to deal with.
The judge’s decision to sentence DePape to 30 years in prison reflects the severity of his crimes and the impact they had on the Pelosi family. DePape’s lack of criminal history and expressions of remorse were not enough to mitigate the danger he posed and the fear he instilled in his victims. The sentencing serves as a warning to others who may contemplate similar acts of violence against public officials and their families. The attack on the Pelosis was a traumatic event that highlighted the risks faced by those in positions of power, and the legal consequences for those who seek to harm them.
