David DePape Sentenced to Life for Hammer Attack on Paul Pelosi

David DePape, the man who brutally attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole by a San Francisco judge.

At a Glance

DePape received life without parole for aggravated kidnapping, burglary, and elder abuse
Sentence will run concurrently with a 30-year federal sentence
Paul Pelosi suffered a skull fracture and permanent nerve damage from the attack
The incident occurred on October 28, 2022, days before midterm elections
Judge emphasized DePape will never be eligible for parole

Life Sentence Handed Down in State Court

A San Francisco judge has sentenced David DePape to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The ruling comes after DePape was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment of an elder. This state sentence will run concurrently with a previously imposed 30-year federal sentence for related charges.

Judge Harry Dorfman made it clear during the sentencing that DePape would never be eligible for release, stating, “It’s my intention that Mr. DePape will never get out of prison, he can never be paroled.” The judge also denied a request for a new state trial, solidifying the severity of the consequences for this politically motivated attack.

1/ Today, DA @BrookeJenkinsSF announced that David DePape was sentenced to a term of life in prison w/out parole following his conviction on aggravated kidnapping + other charges in connection to brutally attacking Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s, Paul Pelosi, husband in their home. https://t.co/6DIprtfAbc pic.twitter.com/KRPRVXUkam

— SF DISTRICT ATTORNEY (@SFDAOffice) October 29, 2024

Details of the Attack and Its Aftermath

The attack occurred on October 28, 2022, just days before the midterm elections, raising concerns about political violence. Paul Pelosi suffered significant injuries, including a skull fracture and permanent nerve damage. Body camera footage captured the violent confrontation, showing police instructing DePape to drop the hammer before he struck Mr. Pelosi.

“Today’s sentence of life without parole gives our Pop some measure of legal justice and, we hope, a message to others that political violence against elected officials or their family members will not be tolerated, minimized or condoned. We must each do our part to build a peaceful democracy.” – Pelosi family

During his federal trial, DePape admitted that he had intended to harm Nancy Pelosi if she did not confess to alleged lies. However, at the state sentencing, he expressed regret for injuring Paul Pelosi, stating that Paul was not his intended target. Despite this, DePape showed no remorse for his actions and made bizarre claims during the proceedings.

#BREAKING: David DePape, the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband in their San Francisco home two years ago, was sentenced to life without parole on his state conviction. https://t.co/x9jN5Ceghv

— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) October 29, 2024

Legal and Political Implications

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins emphasized the importance of addressing political violence, stating, “We cannot allow political violence to become normalized and we must take swift action to ensure there are serious consequences for those who will utilize violence to intimidate or stifle our elected leaders for doing what they have been elected to do.”

“We cannot allow political violence to become normalized and we must take swift action to ensure there are serious consequences for those who will utilize violence to intimidate or stifle our elected leaders for doing what they have been elected to do” – Brooke Jenkins

The defense plans to appeal the ruling, arguing double jeopardy due to overlapping state and federal charges. DePape’s attorney, Adam Lipson, described his client as “a man who has always been a peaceful, law-abiding person up until his activation,” suggesting that DePape’s involvement with conspiracy theories like Pizzagate and QAnon may have influenced his actions.

This case highlights the serious consequences of politically-motivated violence against public figures and their families. The Pelosi family has implemented enhanced security measures following the attack, underscoring the ongoing impact of such incidents on the personal lives of political figures.