New Delhi: The man accused of breaking into US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's home and assaulting her husband, Paul Pelosi, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges during his first court appearance on Tuesday. David Wayne DePape, 42, was ordered to remain in prison without bond, during the trial which lasted about 15 minutes.
DePape's court-appointed public defender, Adam Lipson, said DePape's legal team might use several issues like vulnerability to political misinformation to factor in his defence, Reuters reported. He said exposure to hate speech trafficked online and amplified by public figures could inspire some mentally unstable individuals to commit acts of political violence.
According to the report, prosecutors have said charges on DePape, of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, elder abuse, false imprisonment and threatening a public official could carry a maximum prison sentence of 13 years to life.
The prosecutors said that DePape was on a "suicide mission" and had other prominent politicians on his target list. According to court documents, DePape had planned to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and break her knees, Reuters reported.
Paul Pelosi attack
DePape on Friday had broken into the couple's residence in California at dawn while Nancy Pelosi was in Washington. He confronted Paul Pelosi who had managed to call the police, when the police arrived they witnessed the two men struggling with a hammer before the intruder grabbed the tool away and struck Pelosi over the head, according to an account of the incident contained in an FBI affidavit filed in federal court on Monday, reported Reuters.
The police officers subdued DePape and took him into custody. Paul had to undergo surgery for a skull fracture and other severe injuries to his right arm and hands.
The US House Speaker expressed gratitude and thanked people for the outpouring of support and prayers following the deadly attack on Paul Pelosi. "Paul Pelosi underwent surgery on Friday "to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands," a statement released by Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.