Paul Pelosi attack: David DePape indicted by federal grand jury
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
SAN FRANCISCO — David DePape, the man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last month, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday.
According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, David Wayne DePape, 42, of Richmond, was charged with one count of assault upon an immediate family member of a U.S. official with the intent to retaliate against the official on account of the performance of official duties. DePape was also charged with one count of attempted kidnapping of a U.S. official on account of the performance of official duties.
DePape faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for the assault charge and 20 years in prison for the attempted kidnapping charge.
BREAKING: David DePape was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday https://t.co/mAKoLL3Qx3
The federal charges are separate from the state charges being prosecuted by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, KGO-TV reported. Those charges will be handled as a separate case, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, according to the television station.
DePape was arrested on Oct. 28 by the San Francisco Police Department while he was inside the residence after police responded to a 911 call from Paul Pelosi, 82, KRON-TV reported.
Pelosi was injured after a person, later identified as DePape, broke into the couple’s home, Chief William “Bill” Scott said. He underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured skull and had been recovering for the past several days, KGO reported. He also sustained serious injuries to his right arm and hands, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Pelosi was taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. He was released on Nov. 3.
In an affidavit, officials said DePape told Paul Pelosi that he was looking for Nancy Pelosi and that he intended to wait until the speaker returned to the couple’s San Francisco residence.
DePape told police he was on a “suicide mission,” according to The Washington Post. DePape allegedly said he had a target list of state and federal politicians as part of his effort to combat “lies” coming out of Washington, the newspaper reported.
Investigators later said that DePape intended to take Nancy Pelosi hostage and break her kneecaps to send a message to Congress.
DePape, a Canadian citizen, could face deportation after his criminal cases end in San Francisco, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, citing officials from the Department of Homeland Security.
DePape is being held without bail on state charges of attempted murder, burglary and elder abuse, according to KGO. DePape’s public defender, Adam Lipson, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and has pledged to vigorously defend him.
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Through the years Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) puts her hand on a Bible held by her grandchildren Alexander Prowda (bottom L) and Liam Kenneally (bottom R) as she is sworn in as the House Democratic Whip, at the Statuary Hall of the Capitol February 06, 2002 in Washington, DC. Pelosi became the highest-ranking woman ever in the U.S. Congress. Her husband Paul is at (L). (Photo by Manny Ceneta/Getty Images) (Manny Ceneta/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 19: Paul Pelosi (L) and Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) attend the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Bridge Dedication Gala at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers November 19, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) (Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 09: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her husband Paul Pelosi arrive for the 12th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy at the Kennedy Center on November 9, 2010 in Washington, DC. Tina Fey, creator of the television show 30 Rock, is the recipient of this year's prize. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON - JUNE 7: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her husband Paul Pelosi arrive at the White House June 7, 2011 in Washington, DC. Guests arrived to attend a state dinner being held by the Obama's for German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This is the first official visit by a European leader to the White House since Obama became president. Merkel will be presented with the 2010 Medal of Freedom at a state dinner tonight. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images) (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 18: Paul Pelosi (L) and US House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi attend Tony Bennett's 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts at The Metropolitan Opera House on September 18, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Bennett) (Jemal Countess)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 04: Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi and Jon Bon Jovi attend the 6Th Annual Exploring the Arts Gala hosted by Tony Bennett And Susan Benedetto at Cipriani 42nd Street on October 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Exploring The Arts) (Larry Busacca)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Congresswoman Nancy and her husband, Paul Pelosi are interviewed during the New York premiere of the HBO documentary Fall to Grace at Time Warner Center Screening Room on March 21, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for HBO) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for HBO)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 07: Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi walk the red carpet during the 27th Annual Kennedy Center Honors at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 7, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images) (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 03: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pictured with her husband, Paul Pelosi, on Capitol Hill on January 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. Under the cloud of a partial federal government shutdown, Pelosi reclaimed her former title as speaker and her fellow Democrats took control of the House of Representatives for the second time in eight years. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images) (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi arrive in the Crypt of the US Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony to be the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. (Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images) (Pool/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (2nd R) and her husband Paul Pelosi (C) arrive for a reception honoring Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Mitsotakis in the East Room of the White House on May 16, 2022 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Mitsotakis for bilateral meetings earlier in the day where they talked about allied efforts to "support the people of Ukraine and impose economic costs on Russia for its unprovoked aggression," according to the White House. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Paul Pelosi, husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), arrives for a reception honoring Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Mitsotakis in the East Room of the White House on May 16, 2022 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Mitsotakis for bilateral meetings earlier in the day where they talked about allied efforts to "support the people of Ukraine and impose economic costs on Russia for its unprovoked aggression," according to the White House. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
