Paul Pelosi’s attacker was sentenced to 30 years in prison

The man who attacked the husband of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

David DePape was convicted of assault and attempted kidnapping of a federal officer in November after a weeklong trial in San Francisco.

The attack left Paul Pelosi, now 84, hospitalized for six days with a fractured skull and other injuries.

Ms. Pelosi had called for a “very long” prison sentence for DePape.

A spokesman for Ms. Pelosi said that on the night of the attack and during her testimony in the case, the family “could not be prouder of their father and his tremendous courage.”

“Speaker Pelosi and her family are immensely grateful to everyone who has sent love and prayers over the past eighteen months as Mr. Pelosi continues his recovery,” the speaker said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Prosecutors had asked the judge to sentence DePape to 40 years in prison. He also faces life in prison on various state charges.

Video of the incident shown during the trial shows DePape, a Canadian citizen who has lived in the United States for two decades, breaking into Pelosi’s home in California armed with a hammer on October 28, 2022.

DePape asked about Ms. Pelosi, who was not home when he confronted the lawmaker’s husband in the couple’s home.

When police officers arrived following a 911 call, they found Mr. Pelosi and DePape both holding a gavel.

Moments later – after being asked to drop the weapon – DePape abruptly punched Mr Pelosi before being tackled to the ground by officers. The entire incident was captured on officers’ body cameras.

In addition to a fractured skull, Mr. Pelosi suffered injuries to his arm and hand. He was hit three times during the attack.

In a letter filed before the sentencing, Ms. Pelosi urged the court to impose a “very long” sentence for DePape, adding that she and her husband were never able to talk about the incident.

“Paul and I have not discussed the events of that terrible night,” she wrote. “Paul does not want to undergo a re-examination and doctors advise that discussing the brutal attack would only renew his trauma.”

During the trial, Mr. Pelosi testified that DePape said his plan was to “take out” Ms. Pelosi, whom he described as the “pack leader.”

“It was a tremendous shock to look at him, to look at the gavel and the ties,” Mr. Pelosi recalled. “I realized I was in serious danger. I tried to stay as calm as possible.”

After the attack, Mr Pelosi said his next memory was waking up with a “pool of blood” and being taken to hospital.

In his own letter to the court before the verdict, Mr. Pelosi said he was still struggling with the impact of the attack.

“I walk slowly and have difficulty balancing. I get headaches almost every day, which turn into migraines if not addressed quickly,” he wrote. “I have to sleep during the day and cannot stand bright light or loud noises for long periods of time.”

DePape’s court-appointed attorney, Jodi Linker, argued that her client was motivated by right-wing conspiracy theories that the defendant believed “with every fiber of his being.”

But prosecutors argued that DePape had a “plan of violence,” noting that he told investigators he had a “target list” and planned to break Ms. Pelosi’s kneecaps if she did not reveal “the truth.” At the time of his arrest, DePape was in possession of zip ties and duct tape.

Outside the courthouse, DePape’s son told reporters that his father’s prison sentence was equivalent to the death penalty.

“I think that’s a really long time, because if you think about it, he’s almost 50,” Sky Gonzalez said, according to the Associated Press. “Basically, it’s just a death sentence.”

In addition to the federal charges, DePape faces additional state charges stemming from the attack. These include burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and attempted murder.

If convicted of these charges, he could face life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty.