The California man found guilty of the 2022 attack on the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole on Tuesday, following his trial at the state level.
David DePape's early morning break-in at the Pelosi residence nearly two years ago, on October 28, 2022. just days before the midterm elections, sent shockwaves across the U.S. and was widely seen as a consequence of the escalating demonization in political discourse, according to CBS News.
The attack on 82-year-old Paul Pelosi was caught on police bodycam footage when officers arrived in response to his 911 call, discovering him in a struggle with DePape, who then struck Pelosi with a hammer.
Before his sentencing, DePape, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit with his brown hair tied in a ponytail, took the opportunity to address the court.
He spoke extensively, according to the Associated Press, claiming that the September 11 attacks were an inside job, that his ex-wife had been replaced by a body double, and that his court-appointed attorneys were part of a conspiracy against him.
"I'm a psychic," DePape told the court, in what appeared to be a prepared speech. "The more I meditate, the more psychic I get."
DePape, a Canadian citizen who had been residing in the U.S. for several years, admitted during his federal trial that he intended to take Nancy Pelosi hostage, the AP also revealed.
He planned to record an interrogation of her and threatened to "break her kneecaps" if she refused to confess to what he claimed were lies about "Russiagate," referring to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
