SAN FRANCISCO, California – David DePape, the man previously convicted in federal court for violently attacking House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul, has now been found guilty of five charges in state court. The California jury convicted DePape on counts of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment, threatening a family member of a public official, aggravated kidnapping, and preventing or dissuading a witness by force or threat. This verdict is a continuation of legal proceedings following DePape’s initial conviction last year in connection with the October 2022 attack.
During the courtroom proceedings, DePape remained stoic as the guilty verdict was announced, with his defense team stating their intention to appeal the case. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins revealed that DePape could now face a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. Prior to the trial, three charges against DePape were dismissed by Judge Harry M. Dorfman to avoid double jeopardy, leaving the state court to focus on the remaining charges.
DePape’s defense attorney, Adam Lipson, expressed disappointment with the verdict, attributing his client’s actions to a combination of isolation, loneliness, conspiracy theories, and mental illness. Prosecutors, on the other hand, defended their decision to charge DePape based on the criminal acts committed that night, rejecting claims of vindictive prosecution. Nancy Pelosi’s family, while grateful for the community’s support, refrained from making further comments until after the sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
In the federal trial last year, DePape was accused of breaking into the Pelosi residence with intentions to kidnap the congresswoman and hold her hostage. Despite DePape’s admission to attacking Paul Pelosi, his attorney argued that the motivation behind the assault did not align with the federal charges levied against him. DePape himself testified during the trial, claiming he had mistaken Paul Pelosi for someone else and had no intention of harming him.
As DePape’s legal battle continues, his ex-wife, Gypsy Taub, was escorted out of the courtroom following allegations of jury tampering. This incident, along with the discovery of graffiti promoting conspiracy theories related to Taub, added further intrigue to the proceedings. More details and updates are likely to emerge as the case progresses, shedding light on the complexities surrounding DePape’s actions and motivations.