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In a significant development, David DePape has been convicted of assault and attempted kidnapping charges. The conviction comes after a federal jury found DePape guilty of intruding into the home of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi. The jury concluded that DePape targeted Nancy Pelosi due to his strong disagreement with her official position as Speaker of the House of Representatives. His violent plan to kidnap then-Speaker Pelosi was rooted in his misguided ideology, and it ended with the assault on Mr. Pelosi. This verdict reaffirms that threats and violence have no place in politics and serves as a reminder that public servants and their families deserve to live and work without fear. The successful collaboration between law enforcement agencies played a pivotal role in securing this conviction. The evidence at trial revealed the shocking details of DePape’s plan, including his collection of personal information about Speaker Pelosi and his intentions to hold her hostage. After using public transportation to travel to the Pelosi residence, DePape broke in and confronted Mr. Pelosi, making various threats. Thankfully, Mr. Pelosi managed to alert the authorities and DePape was subsequently apprehended. This conviction carries significant consequences, with the assault charge carrying a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and the attempted kidnapping charge carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The sentencing will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant federal statutes. This conviction upholds justice and sends a powerful message that violence and hatred have no place in our political discourse.

David DePape Convicted Of Assault And Attempted Kidnapping Charges

Summary of the Case

The case involving David DePape revolves around his assault and attempted kidnapping of Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker Emerita of the House of Representatives. On October 28th, DePape intruded into the Pelosi residence and his actions were motivated by his vehement disagreement with Pelosi’s official duties. After a trial before U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, DePape was convicted of assault and attempted kidnapping charges.

Verdict and Sentencing

David DePape was found guilty of assault upon an immediate family member of a United States official and attempted kidnapping of a United States official. The assault charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, while the attempted kidnapping charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. However, the final sentence will be determined by considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence.

Prosecution and Investigation

The National Security and Cyber Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California is responsible for prosecuting the case against David DePape. The investigation into the case was conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI San Francisco, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the San Francisco Police Department.

Background of David DePape

David DePape, a resident of Richmond, California, targeted Nancy Pelosi, the then-Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, as part of his violent plan. DePape collected personal information about Pelosi, including her home address, and kept it in a computer file labeled “favorite politicians.” His intentions were to kidnap Pelosi, hold her hostage, and inflict harm on her.

Targeting Nancy Pelosi

The evidence presented during the trial established that David DePape specifically targeted Nancy Pelosi, who held a prominent position in the U.S. government. DePape’s actions were fueled by his strong disagreement with Pelosi’s official position and the policies she advocated for. His intent was to use violence as a means of expressing his opposition.

Intrusion into the Pelosi Residence

On the night of the assault, David DePape traveled from the East Bay to San Francisco using public transportation. He carried two backpacks containing various tools, including a hammer, sledgehammer, duct tape, rope, zip ties, and electronic items. DePape used the hammer to break a window and gain entry into the Pelosi residence. Nancy Pelosi was not home at the time, but her husband, Paul Pelosi, was sleeping on the third floor.

After entering the home, DePape roamed the residence until he found Paul Pelosi in the third-floor bedroom. DePape woke Mr. Pelosi and stood just a few feet away from him, holding the hammer and restraints. He made threats towards Mr. Pelosi, including the statement, “I will take you out.” Mr. Pelosi managed to call 9-1-1, using careful language to alert the emergency operator to the situation without agitating DePape. He convinced DePape to go downstairs while continuing to talk to him until the police arrived.

When the officers arrived at the scene, Mr. Pelosi opened the door and they ordered DePape to drop the hammer. Instead, DePape struck Mr. Pelosi three times with full force, resulting in a fractured skull. The officers were able to subdue and arrest DePape immediately following the assault.

The evidence presented during the trial clearly demonstrated the violent nature of DePape’s actions and the extent of the threat he posed to the Pelosi family. The assault on Mr. Pelosi and the attempted kidnapping of Nancy Pelosi were driven by DePape’s ideological opposition to Pelosi’s official duties.

The conviction of David DePape on assault and attempted kidnapping charges signifies that violence has no place in politics. The justice system has ensured that DePape will face the full weight of punishment for his actions, bringing justice to the Pelosi family and sending a message that threats and violence against public servants and their families will not be tolerated. The collaboration between various law enforcement agencies played a crucial role in securing this victory and their commitment to protecting communities from acts of violence and hatred is unwavering.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/david-depape-convicted-assault-and-attempted-kidnapping-charges

By Jesse Hull

I'm Jesse Hull, a retired Infantry Paratrooper and Outdoor Studies Major at Alaska Pacific University - and I am the mind behind Grimy Times - your portal to the darkest, grittiest news stories spanning the globe. With a tagline like "Grimiest News From Around The World!" you can expect no less. I bring you the most unearthed stories, guaranteeing authenticity without sugarcoating. From shadowy urban alleys to the most remote corners of our planet, my coverage knows no bounds.