Vicky Bellinger/Reuters
David DePaap is pictured in a San Francisco courtroom on November 16, 2023.
CNN
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Prosecutors are recommending 40 years in prison for a man convicted of attacking former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul with a hammer inside their San Francisco home in October 2022.
David DePaap was found guilty in November of one count of assaulting a relative of a federal employee, a jury determined he used a dangerous weapon, and a second count of attempted kidnapping of a federal employee. Ta.
In a memorandum filed Friday, the Justice Department argued that DePaap’s actions constituted a “federal crime of terrorism,” and that the Justice Department “influenced or influenced governmental action by threat or coercion; “It is intended as retaliation for the actions of the government.” “This includes an attempted kidnapping of a member of Congress.”
During the trial, Ms. DePerp’s attorney, Jody Rinker, acknowledged that her client attacked then-82-year-old Paul Pelosi, but argued that the motive for the attack was inconsistent with the charges against Mr. Pelosi.
Rinker told the jury, “This case is about why. Why matters.” “This lawsuit challenges whether David acted out of obligation to Nancy Pelosi as a member of Congress. He did not, and his larger plans were thwarted when police arrived. So in a moment of despair, I just punched Paul Pelosi.”
CNN has reached out to Linker for comment.
During the trial, DePaap, who described her political leanings as “centre-right,” told jurors that she was focused on Nancy Pelosi and that her husband was not on her list of targets. Told. He said she was “surprised and confused” when she realized the deputy was not home.
Paul Pelosi said in her testimony that she woke up the night of the attack to find a man in her home with a hammer. He said the man, later identified by police as Depape, asked where his wife was. “She’s not here. She’s in Washington,” Pelosi recalled responding.
Pelosi said she was severely hit in the head during a scuffle with DePape and regained consciousness in a pool of blood.
Pelosi, who underwent surgery to repair a fractured skull and damage to her hand and arm, told jurors her recovery will be difficult. “I’ve been doing everything I can to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” he said.
The Justice Department said in a memo that “both crimes are attacks on our democracy and fundamental values” and should act as a deterrent to other crimes.
“At a time when extremism is leading to attacks on public servants and elected officials, this incident provides an opportunity to speak to those harboring ideologically motivated violent dreams and plans,” the Justice Department said. “There is,” he said.
DePaap’s federal sentencing date is set for May 17, but he still faces charges at the California state level. He has pleaded not guilty to state charges including attempted murder, robbery and assault.
CNN’s Veronica Miracle, Jeffrey Kopp and Piper Hudspeth Blackburn contributed to this report.
