David DePape, the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband in their San Francisco home two years ago, was sentenced to life without parole Tuesday on his state conviction.
A San Francisco judge handed down the sentence on DePape's aggravated kidnapping conviction in the October 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi. DePape also got eight years on other charges in the state case.
In October 2022, DePape broke into the Pelosis' Pacific Heights home, looking for then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with the intention of kidnapping her and holding her hostage.
As San Francisco police tried to move in, DePape beat Paul Pelosi savagely with a hammer, causing severe injuries to Pelosi's head and neck. Pelosi spent weeks in the hospital recovering.
In court Tuesday, DePape spoke for more than 45 minutes about conspiracy theories, suggesting the Sept. 11 attacks were an inside job and calling his wife a "body double." He actually had more to say, but the judge cut his comments short and noted that DePape did not express any remorse for attacking Pelosi – something he did do during the federal sentencing.
"This was like a really tragic end to a tragic story," Deputy Public Defender Adam Lipson said. "All of you who were in the courtroom and listening to Mr. DePape's statement saw that, quite frankly, he's not a well man."
DePape's attorneys did not argue for an insanity defense in this case.
"Certain things are relevant and you are able to argue and certain things I can't," Lipson said. "He has some decision in what sort of defense gets run. And that defense, an insanity defense, just wasn't applicable here."
Lipson said they will likely be filing an appeal on the conviction.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the sentence shows there will be serious consequences for people who use violence to try to intimidate public officials and their families.
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"I think it gives hopefully not only the Pelosi family solace but our country solace that nothing like this will be taken lightly," Jenkins said.
DePape already is serving a 30-year sentence in federal prison for the crime. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the sentence was a warning that violence against those who serve the public and their families will not be tolerated.
Legal analyst Steven Clark said DePape's words in court Tuesday would be critical for him in any future court dealings. Clark added that while long federal and state sentences might seem redundant, they serve as a safety net in the event something changes on appeal.
Clark also said the appeals court might take issue with DePape's mental health.
"What never came through in this case was Mr. DePape's mental state," Clark said. "And will an appellate court look at this case and ask why wasn’t his mental health brought to light during this trial to reflect on what he did, whether that affected his behavior."
