Apology Fails to Alter Sentencing for Man Who Attacked Pelosi’s Husband

[Social Media]

 

David DePape, who was convicted of federal crimes for breaking into the residence of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband, Paul Pelosi, has expressed remorse for his actions. Despite his apology, the judge upheld the initial 30-year federal prison sentence. The incident, which occurred two years ago, has sparked significant discussion about politically motivated violence in the United States.

 

In a federal courtroom in San Francisco, DePape apologized for his actions, stating, "I should have left the house when I learned Nancy Pelosi wasn’t there. I will never do anything violent like that ever again." This hearing was a continuation of his sentencing proceedings, which Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley had reopened to allow DePape the opportunity to speak, a procedural step she initially overlooked.

 

Judge Corley, however, remained unswayed by DePape's apology. She reiterated the maximum sentence of 30 years, emphasizing the gravity of the crime and the necessity to deter similar politically motivated acts. "The message has to be out there that it’s absolutely unacceptable to our democracy," she stated.

 

DePape's convictions include attempted kidnapping of a federal officer and assault on an immediate family member of a federal official. He acknowledged his troubled state of mind at the time of the attack, saying, "I have been able to reconnect with my mom and other family members, which has allowed me to move forward." His federal sentencing hearing was held amid his ongoing state criminal trial, where he faces additional charges including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and elder abuse. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

 

The attack on October 22, 2022, just weeks before the midterm elections, underscored fears of escalating politically motivated violence. DePape, 42 at the time, broke into the Pelosi residence in San Francisco through a back door, seeking Nancy Pelosi. Finding her absent, he encountered Paul Pelosi instead. According to trial testimony and police footage, DePape attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, causing severe injuries that required surgery for two skull fractures and a six-day hospital stay.

 

Despite his initial sentencing on May 17, DePape’s federal public defenders filed an appeal and opposed the reopening of the hearing, arguing it should proceed to an appeals court or be resentenced by a different judge. They contended that Judge Corley could not impartially reassess the sentence after expressing her previous conclusions. Ms. Pelosi’s office has chosen to withhold comment on the resentencing until the verdict in the state trial is reached.

David DePape, the man who beat former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi with a hammer, was just sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. Here is the police body cam footage of the attack.

Cue the reprehensible MAGA folks once again trying to claim a lovers’… pic.twitter.com/6EglmybWXt

— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) May 17, 2024

 

DePape had lived a marginal existence in the San Francisco Bay Area, at times sleeping in a park in Berkeley, California. He was deeply immersed in online conspiracy theories such as Pizzagate and QAnon. Judge Corley, before delivering the sentence, acknowledged that DePape had no prior criminal or violent record and noted his vulnerability to media influence.

 

The case highlights the dangerous intersection of conspiracy theories and political violence. As Judge Corley underscored, the severity of DePape's actions and the need for deterrence are critical to protecting democratic principles and ensuring such acts are not repeated.

 

Related Topics:

DOJ Seeks 40-Year Sentence for Pelosi's Husband's Attacker

David DePape charged with assault, attempted kidnapping in attack on Paul Pelosi

Paul Pelosi: Who is spreading false claims about attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband?

Nancy Pelosi's husband 'violently assaulted' at San Francisco home, suspect in custody

 

Credit: New York Times 2024-05-30

 

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[Tug]

Now forget all about this Darwin Award contender wasted his life on some fools errand….wonder what he’s going to be thinking 10 years or so into his sentence….a wasted life

[LosLobo]

Interestingly seems Trump is a wholehearted supporter of Qanon labelled by the FBI as a terrorist threat in 2019.

Since the launch of Truth Social two years ago, Trump has reposted or promoted QAnon-affiliated accounts more than 800 times.

Seemingly one of his posts refers to him punishing his opponents.

Donald Trump is spreading QAnon posts as he campaigns. Here's why (usatoday.com)

 

[rudi49jr]

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

"I should have left the house when I learned Nancy Pelosi wasn’t there.

The questions remains what he would have done had Pelosi been home. 

[koolkarl]

If the roles were reversed, Pelosi would have received a suspended sentence.  30 years is ridiculous.

[RichardColeman]

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

Despite his apology, the judge upheld the initial 30-year federal prison sentence.

That's a political sentence, not a normal one. Attack anyone but a democrat or democrat relation and he'd be out in less than 3.

[BusyB]

9 hours ago, Tug said:

Now forget all about this Darwin Award contender wasted his life on some fools errand….wonder what he’s going to be thinking 10 years or so into his sentence….a wasted life

 

Wonder what he'll be thinking aged 60 or 70 - that'll be a lot worse.

[BusyB]

2 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

That's a political sentence, not a normal one. Attack anyone but a democrat or democrat relation and he'd be out in less than 3.

 

It was a political act - not only against the Pelosi's, it was an act of political terrorism against the state institution of Congress. Shouldn't be handled any different to nazi/islamist/leftist terrorism. Maximum sentences.

[nglodnig]

1 hour ago, koolkarl said:

If the roles were reversed, Pelosi would have received a suspended sentence.  30 years is ridiculous.

You're right there is a chance he might actually not die in jail.

[kimothai]

Just thinking out loud, it would be poetic (or political) justice if Trump by chance was re-elected and 4 years later, he commuted his sentence.  Politics can be very strange sometimes.

[Jingthing]

Throw

Away

The 

Key

[Skeptic7]

4 hours ago, koolkarl said:

If the roles were reversed, Pelosi would have received a suspended sentence.  30 years is ridiculous.

You are ridiculous. 

[Skeptic7]

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

That's a political sentence, not a normal one. Attack anyone but a democrat or democrat relation and he'd be out in less than 3.

Nope.

Wrong. 

Asinine. 

[Flyguy330]

No comments about the rumour that DePape was invited in by Pelosi for a gay tryst which went wrong, leading to a fight, the cops being called, and a damage limitation exercise which painted it as a failed attempt at assasination?

[rudi49jr]

30 minutes ago, Flyguy330 said:

No comments about the rumour that DePape was invited in by Pelosi for a gay tryst which went wrong, leading to a fight, the cops being called, and a damage limitation exercise which painted it as a failed attempt at assasination?

Have some more Kool Aid, dude.

[RobU]

15 hours ago, nglodnig said:

 

Wrong post

[RobU]

13 hours ago, kimothai said:

Just thinking out loud, it would be poetic (or political) justice if Trump by chance was re-elected and 4 years later, he commuted his sentence.  Politics can be very strange sometimes.

Can the president commute a sentence without the backing of Congress?

[kimothai]

33 minutes ago, RobU said:

Can the president commute a sentence without the backing of Congress?

As far as I know he can but the way things are going in America, who knows? 

[placeholder]

8 hours ago, RobU said:

Can the president commute a sentence without the backing of Congress?

Yes.

[Flyguy330]

On 5/30/2024 at 10:30 PM, rudi49jr said:

Have some more Kool Aid, dude.

Just askin. Elon Musk (owner of Twitter/X) posted the same question on his platform.

Apparently they were both in their underpants when the cops arrived. And the whole thing took place in San Francisco - Gay Capital of the US.

Knowing how the US works, with endless lies and covers up, anything is possible. Maybe it's YOU who is on the KoolAid. I'll pass thanks...

[rudi49jr]

17 minutes ago, Flyguy330 said:

Just askin. Elon Musk (owner of Twitter/X) posted the same question on his platform.

Apparently they were both in their underpants when the cops arrived. And the whole thing took place in San Francisco - Gay Capital of the US.

Knowing how the US works, with endless lies and covers up, anything is possible. Maybe it's YOU who is on the KoolAid. I'll pass thanks...

So you’re going with Elon Musk. Is that the same Elon Musk who posts crazy conspiracy theories on X, like this one about Paul Pelosi, and antisemitic stuff as well?
FYI: not everyone in SF is gay, about 1 in 5 people. And maybe you can post a link that verifies they were both in their underpants when the cops arrived? Otherwise it’s just hearsay, or rumors. And rumors are almost always just that, rumors. Facts are facts. Maybe you should learn to distinguish between the two.

[chickenslegs]

51 minutes ago, Flyguy330 said:

Apparently they were both in their underpants when the cops arrived.

You didn't watch the body cam video in the OP.

[Tug]

On 5/30/2024 at 6:59 AM, Flyguy330 said:

No comments about the rumour that DePape was invited in by Pelosi for a gay tryst which went wrong, leading to a fight, the cops being called, and a damage limitation exercise which painted it as a failed attempt at assasination?

You need to see the eye doctor or perhaps a psychiatrist……..cool add indeed!