Prosecutors Seek 40 Years For Man Who Attacked Nancy Pelosi’s Husband

The prosecutors have argued that David Wayne DePape who was convicted last year, has shown no remorse, and deserves no leniency.

Federal prosecutors are urging that the man who broke into former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s house and clubbed her husband with a hammer should receive a 40-year prison sentence for federal offences that amount to a crime of terrorism. According to a Reuters report, in a sentencing memorandum filed in a US District Court in San Francisco, the prosecutors have argued that David Wayne DePape who was convicted last year, has shown no remorse, and deserves no leniency. It also added that he should receive the statutory maximum penalties for each of the two counts. DePape’s sentencing is set for May 17

"At a time when extremism has led to attacks on public and elected officials, this case presents a moment to speak to others harbouring ideologically motivated violent dreams and plans," the memorandum said.

Depape forced himself into Pelosi’s San Francisco home in the early hours of October 28, 2022, while Nancy Pelosi was in Washington. He confronted Paul Pelosi, then clubbed him with a hammer before police could reach the scene and subdue the intruder. Paul Pelosi, then 82, was hospitalised for several days with skull fractures and injuries to his hands and right arm.

Last year in November, a federal court found DePape guilty of trying to kidnap Pelosi, then speaker of the US House of Representatives. As per the Reuters report, the prosecutors recommended that DePape receive the maximum jail term for each count - 20 years for attempted kidnapping and 30 years for assault - with 20 years for the second count consecutive to the first, for a total of 40 years behind bars.

The prosecutors argued that his offences occurring a week before the 2022 congressional midterm elections fit the federal definition of terrorism i.e. a crime "calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion”, they said. 

As per the report, prosecutors counted that circumstance as a sentencing "enhancement."