David DePape Sentenced on State Charges for Attacking Paul Pelosi

David DePape, the man who attacked Paul Pelosi, has received a life sentence in state court.

At a Glance

David DePape has been sentenced to life in prison without parole in state court for attacking Paul Pelosi.
DePape previously received 30 years in a federal case for the same attack.
A San Francisco jury found DePape guilty of multiple charges, including aggravated kidnapping.
The judge emphasized DePape will never be eligible for parole.
The attack occurred on October 28, 2022, raising concerns about political violence.

Life Sentence Handed Down in State Court

David DePape, the man who attacked Paul Pelosi in his San Francisco home two years ago, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in state court. This sentence comes after DePape was found guilty by a San Francisco jury of aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment of an elder.

Judge Harry Dorfman, who presided over the case, made it clear 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 DePape’s request for a new trial, solidifying the verdict against him.

Paul Pelosi attack: David DePape sentenced to life in prison in state trial https://t.co/AKmE7CoL7B pic.twitter.com/S44nffv8dY

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) October 29, 2024

Federal Sentencing and Multiple Charges

This state sentence follows a previous 30-year federal sentence handed down to DePape for the same attack. The federal case focused on charges related to attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer and attempting to kidnap Nancy Pelosi. The dual sentencing at both state and federal levels underscores the severity of DePape’s actions and the determination of authorities to ensure he faces the full extent of the law.

“Since the violent break-in and shout of ‘where’s Nancy?’ two years ago, not a day goes by that we do not think of this devastating assault, its trauma — or the possibility of future attacks,” the Pelosi family said in a statement. The statement added that, “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.”

The attack, which occurred on October 28, 2022, just before the midterm elections, raised significant concerns about political violence.

Consequences and Recovery

Paul Pelosi suffered severe injuries from the attack, including a skull fracture and nerve damage that required surgery. The long-term impact of the assault was evident in Paul Pelosi’s statement that “it took many months” after the attack to “reclaim” his home and “well-being.” The Pelosi family has expressed relief at the life sentence, hoping it will serve as a deterrent to future acts of political violence.

“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,” District Attorney of San Francisco Brooke Jenkins said in a statement.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins emphasized the importance of addressing political violence and ensuring serious consequences for such actions. The case has sparked ongoing discussions about security for public officials and their families, with the Pelosi family reportedly implementing increased security measures at their home in response to continued threats.

Legal Aftermath and Appeals

Despite the sentencing, the legal battle may not be over. DePape’s defense team has indicated plans to appeal the ruling, arguing double jeopardy due to overlapping state and federal charges. This appeal process could potentially extend the legal proceedings further, though it remains to be seen how successful such an appeal might be given the separate jurisdictions involved in the state and federal cases.

The sentencing of David DePape marks a significant milestone in a case that has captured national attention and sparked debates about political violence, conspiracy theories, and the safety of public officials. As the legal chapter closes, the broader implications of the attack and its aftermath continue to resonate in the political landscape.