Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Brutal Attack on Paul Pelosi, Husband of Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

David DePape, the man who viciously assaulted Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in their San Francisco home, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. The sentencing was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley considered various recommendations before settling on the 30-year term, just shy of the 40 years sought by government prosecutors. The U.S. Probation Office had recommended a 25-year sentence, while DePape’s defense team had argued for 14 years, citing his lack of criminal history and personal difficulties.

During the sentencing, DePape stood silently as Judge Corley delivered the verdict. The Pelosi family, in a statement shared by spokesperson Aaron Bennet, expressed their pride in Paul Pelosi’s courage during and after the attack. They thanked everyone who had supported them throughout Mr. Pelosi’s recovery.

DePape was found guilty by federal jurors of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official, stemming from the October 28, 2022, assault on Paul Pelosi. Judge Corley imposed 20 years for one count and 30 years for the other, to be served concurrently, with credit given for the 18 months DePape has already spent in custody.

During the trial, DePape testified in his defense, admitting to breaking into the Pelosi residence with plans involving both Nancy and Paul Pelosi. He referenced right-wing conspiracy theories and his extensive consumption of political commentary on YouTube leading up to the attack.

Paul Pelosi recounted during the trial how he was awoken by DePape, a large man wielding a hammer and zip ties, demanding to know Nancy Pelosi’s whereabouts. When Paul informed him she was in Washington, D.C., DePape allegedly threatened to tie him up until her return and inflicted a fractured skull during the assault.

Paul Pelosi managed to call 911 while DePape was momentarily distracted, leading to police intervention captured on body-camera footage. Officers arrived to find DePape and Pelosi grappling over the hammer before DePape was subdued and arrested.

Outside the San Francisco courthouse, U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey emphasized that DePape’s sentencing reflects his “lack of remorse and contrition for violently assaulting” Paul Pelosi. Ramsey underscored the importance of ensuring that political discourse never escalates to violence in a democracy.

Despite the federal sentencing, DePape still faces state charges including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, false imprisonment, and threatening a public official’s life or causing serious bodily harm. Jury selection for the state case, pursued by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, is scheduled to begin soon.