Paul Pelosi testifies in trial against man accused of attacking him with a hammer

In his testimony during the trial against David DePape, Paul Pelosi recounted the harrowing incident that unfolded on the night he was assaulted in his San Francisco residence, which he shares with his wife, former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Mr. Pelosi vividly described the shocking moment when he discovered an intruder standing at his bedroom door, followed by the brutal blow to his head with a hammer.

He expressed the tremendous shock he felt realizing that his home had been invaded, and as he observed the hammer and zip ties in the intruder’s possession, he recognized the grave danger he was in. Paul Pelosi testified that he made every effort to remain as composed as possible under these dire circumstances.

The prosecution contends that David DePape assaulted Paul Pelosi on the early morning of October 28, 2022, just days before the midterm elections that year. DePape is facing charges of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on a federal official’s immediate family member with the intent to retaliate against the official for the performance of their duties. It is important to note that DePape has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

In a surprising twist, the defense attorney, Jodi Linker, has acknowledged that DePape was responsible for the attack on Paul Pelosi. However, she intends to argue that DePape genuinely believed he was taking action to combat government corruption and child abuse by politicians and actors. Linker asserts that this belief is what motivated DePape and that the government’s charges of retaliation or interference with Nancy Pelosi’s official duties do not align with his true intentions.

Paul Pelosi’s testimony took place on the trial’s second day, following the presentation of evidence by prosecutors, including an FBI agent who collected DePape’s electronics, a U.S. Capitol police officer responsible for surveillance at the Pelosi residence, and another officer who has been Nancy Pelosi’s protector since 2006. Additionally, a Bay Area Rapid Transit police sergeant testified as part of the proceedings.

Mr. Pelosi revealed that he had refrained from discussing the traumatic attack with anyone, including his family, due to its distressing nature. Despite having a security alarm system with motion detectors in their home, Paul Pelosi admitted that he never activated it when he was home alone to avoid triggering false alarms.

Recalling the terrifying moment of the intrusion, Paul Pelosi testified that the intruder demanded to know the whereabouts of Nancy Pelosi. When he informed the intruder that his wife was in Washington, DePape allegedly stated his intention to restrain him until her return. Furthermore, there was a conversation where DePape expressed his view that Nancy Pelosi was a significant figure who needed to be removed from the equation.

The trial also featured the screening of police body camera footage showing paramedics providing assistance to Paul Pelosi, who was found injured on the floor. The footage depicted paramedics applying a white towel to his head and fitting him with a neck and head brace before transporting him on a stretcher chair, his face and hands covered in blood.

Witnesses aided in verifying time stamps on surveillance camera footage from the Pelosi residence, which was set to Eastern Time, and on BART trains, which followed Pacific Time. FBI Special Agent Stephanie Minor testified that the video evidence revealed DePape striking Paul Pelosi at least three times.

Federal prosecutor Laura Vartain Horn emphasized during her opening statements that DePape had been planning the attack since August, gathering information on his targets online, including phone numbers and addresses. He even paid for a public records service to obtain additional details.

If David DePape is convicted, he could face a life sentence. In addition to federal charges, he has also pleaded not guilty to a range of state charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, and others. A date for the state trial has yet to be scheduled.

According to federal prosecutors, DePape forcibly entered the Pelosis’ Pacific Heights residence by breaking through a glass panel on a door at the back of the mansion. He confronted Paul Pelosi while he was in his boxer shorts and pajama top, as Nancy Pelosi was in Washington under the protection of her security detail, which does not extend to family members.

Paul Pelosi’s prompt call to 911 led to the arrival of two police officers who witnessed DePape render him unconscious, as documented in court records. Subsequently, Mr. Pelosi underwent surgery to address a skull fracture and injuries to his right arm and hands.

Following his arrest, David DePape allegedly conveyed to a San Francisco detective his intention to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage. He indicated that if she provided truthful information, he would release her, but if she lied, he would resort to physical harm to demonstrate consequences to other members of Congress. Prosecutors also allege that DePape had additional targets in mind, including a women’s and queer studies professor, California Governor Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks, and President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.

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