David DePape Found Guilty Of Five State Charges
'The Pelosi family is grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers they continue to receive'
Defense alleges Paul Pelosi's attacker was fueled by conspiracy theories; he brought inflatable unicorn costumes to congresswoman's home
Opening statements in the federal trial of the man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi began on Thursday. The hammer attack on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband was fueled by conspiracy theories, according to the defense.
David DePape is standing trial for bludgeoning Pelosi with a hammer inside the couple's Pacific Heights home in San Francisco, California. In attendance at the courtroom on Thursday were Christine Pelosi, a daughter of the Pelosis; Gypsy Taub, DePape’s ex-girlfriend; and Taub’s and DePape's two sons.
Prosecutors started their opening statements by presenting video and photographic evidence of the hammer attack on Pelosi. Prosecutors exhibited a hammer in a plastic bag – said to be the weapon DePape used to assault the congresswoman's husband. Then-82-year-old Pelosi suffered a fractured skull that required surgery in the beatdown caught on police bodycam video that was carried out in the early hours of Oct. 28, 2022.
While holding a clear plastic bag containing the alleged attack weapon in her hand, federal prosecutor Laura Vartain Horn told the courtroom, "The evidence in this case is going to show that when the defendant used this hammer to break into the Pelosis' home, he intended to kidnap Nancy Pelosi."
Horn stated that DePape began planning his attack in August 2022. She noted that evidence and FBI testimony will expose how DePape researched his targets online, collected phone numbers and addresses, and paid a public records service to gather information about Nancy Pelosi and other politicians.
The prosecution's first witness was a San Francisco police officer who responded to Pelosi's 911 call. The officer described the hammer strike as "iron hitting skull."
Prosecutors aired police bodycam footage of DePape admitting to thrashing Pelosi while speaking to police and paramedics near the alleged crime scene.
“There is no denying what I did. Cops watched me do it,” DePape said immediately following the hammer attack.
Government prosecutors also showed jurors multiple videos of Pelosi lying in a pool of his own blood.
Prosecutors also played audio from January when DePape called a San Francisco news station and seemingly confessed to attacking Pelosi.
"I have an important message for everyone in America: You’re welcome," DePape told KTVU reporter Amber Lee from San Francisco County Jail.
"Freedom and liberty isn't dying, it's being killed systematically and deliberately," DePape continued. "The people killing it have names and addresses. So I got their names and addresses so I could pay them a little visit. Have a heart-to-heart chat about their bad behavior."
The defense began opening statements by asserting that DePape was motivated by conspiracy theories.
Defense attorney Jodi Linker conceded that DePape assaulted Pelosi. However, she argued that her client believed "with every ounce of his being" that he was taking necessary actions to stop government corruption and to prevent the abuse of children by politicians and actors.
"This is not a ‘whodunit.’ But what the government fails to acknowledge is the ‘whydunit,’ and the why matters in this case,” Linker told the court.
"These beliefs matter because both charges require that the government prove that Mr. DePape acted because of her performance of her official duties as a member of Congress," she said.
"At the end of this trial, you will know that the reason he acted had nothing to do with Nancy Pelosi [and her] official duties as a member of Congress," Linker declared. "The reason, the why of all of this, had everything to do with the ruling class engaged in corruption. The media spreading lies and protecting children. [DePape] went to the Pelosi home to effectuate his plan, as bizarre, misguided, and unthoughtful as it was."
Last December, DePape pleaded not guilty to attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official with intent to retaliate against the official for performance of their duties.
The defense contended that DePape went to the congresswoman's home to have a discussion about wealth, power, corruption, and the preservation of truth. The defense attorneys said their client had no intention to kidnap or harm anyone.
However, at the time of the assault, DePape reportedly possessed a hammer, a sledgehammer, zip ties, duct tape, and gloves.
San Francisco Police Acting Lt. O’Connor – who helped process the crime scene – testified on Thursday that she collected a sleeping bag and two backpacks from the patio outside the house. Inside the backpacks were cash, a Canadian passport, a Canadian birth certificate, men’s clothes, a video game console, and two inflatable, multicolor unicorn costumes, according to O'Connor.
DePape, 43, is a Canadian citizen who moved to the United States more than 20 years ago after falling in love with Taub – a San Francisco pro-nudist activist.
Paul Pelosi is expected to testify next week.
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Opening statements at David DePape's trial starts Thursday www.youtube.com
On the House floor: Nancy Pelosi admits she was served with 'third-party subpoenas' in federal criminal case
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been subpoenaed in a "third-party" criminal case based in California.
The official House rules require members to notify the speaker in writing if they are served with a subpoena. That notification, the rules say, "shall promptly be laid before the House."
On Wednesday, House Reading Clerk Tylease Alli read from the House floor the notification that Pelosi submitted.
"This is to notify you formally pursuant to Rule VIII of the rules of the House of Representatives that I, the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, speaker emerita, and U.S. representative for the 11th Congressional District of California, have been served with third-party subpoenas from the prosecution and the defendant to produce documents in a criminal case in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California," the statement read.
"After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, I have determined that compliance with the subpoenas is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House," the statement continued. "To the extent it requires production of non-privileged information, the responses to the subpoenas will be identical. Signed, sincerely, Nancy Pelosi, speaker emerita."
— (@)
Unfortunately, neither the clerk nor Pelosi provided additional details, such as the case for which Pelosi has been subpoenaed. Pelosi's office declined to comment.
Fox News reported that the subpoena is related to the criminal case involving David DePape, the man accused of brutally attacking Pelosi's husband inside their San Francisco residence last year.
DePape's federal trial for the alleged assault is set to begin next week. The venue is the northern district of California.
In pretrial motions, a witness in the case sought to avoid testifying at trial. In court documents, that person is referred to as "Target 1" because his or her legal name has been redacted. It's not clear who that person is, but we know it's not Nancy Pelosi.
The federal indictment against DePape alleges that "Target 1" was "way up" on his target list and that DePape "had a plan to use Speaker Pelosi to lure Target 1" to himself.
As the case prepares for jury selection next week, federal Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley hinted Wednesday that normal San Franciscans will not be familiar with the identity of "Target 1," saying, according to Politico, "the odds that Target 1 is known are going to be slim."
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David DePape confesses to hammer attack in interrogation audio, issues chilling new statement: 'So sorry I didn’t get more of them'
David DePape issued a new chilling statement regarding the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi. DePape called a San Francisco news outlet to give what he described as an "important message for everyone in America."
DePape called KTVU reporter Amber Lee from San Francisco County Jail on Friday to deliver a bizarre statement about the October attack on the husband of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
"I have an important message for everyone in America: you’re welcome," DePape said on the phone call lasting more than five minutes.
"Freedom and liberty isn't dying, it's being killed systematically and deliberately," DePape said. "The people killing it have names and addresses. So I got their names and addresses so I could pay them a little visit. Have a heart-to-heart chat about their bad behavior."
DePape does not issue an apology to the 82-year-old Pelosi – who needed emergency surgery for a fractured skull from the hammer attack. Instead, DePape stated, "I want to apologize to everyone. I messed up. What I did was really bad. I'm so sorry I didn't get more of them. It's my own fault. No one else is to blame. I should have come better prepared."
DePape was upset that his website was shut down, but was attempting to set up a new website that was "out of the reach of tyrannical global fascists and their internet censors."
The suspect allegedly would not allow questions because it could jeopardize his case.
(WARNING: Graphic content)
DePape in bizarre phone call to KTVU says he should have been 'more prepared': Full report www.youtube.com
On the same day DePape issued his statement, the police bodycam video of the violent hammer attack was released to the public.
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stephen M. Murphy ordered the San Francisco District Attorney's Office to also release investigative material related to the case. Included was the audio of the police interrogation of DePape conducted shortly after his arrest last year.
When asked if he knew why he was arrested, DePape responded, "Absolutely."
DePape claimed that Democrats went on a "record-breaking crime spree."
"They go from one crime to another crime to another crime, and it’s like the whole f***ing four years until they were finally able to steal the election,” DePape said of the 2020 election of Joe Biden over former President Donald Trump.
DePape revealed why he targeted Nancy Pelosi, "Day in and day out, the person that was on the TV lying every day was Pelosi."
DePape told police that Pelosi hadn't done anything to him "specifically," but rather "to the American public honestly." He added, "She was the leader of the pack."
He admitted that he planned on taking Pelosi "hostage," and would let her go if she "told the truth."
"If she told the truth I’d let her go scot-free," DePape said. "If she f***ing lied, I was going to break her kneecaps."
However, he said Pelosi would lie "without a doubt."
He added that "it originates" with former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
DePape said Paul Pelosi didn't hear him smashing the glass door at his home. He found Pelosi in bed. He asked where Nancy Pelosi was. After Paul told him that his wife was in Washington, D.C., DePape decided to wait until Pelosi returned home.
DePape asked Pelosi if he would consent to him tying him up.
He told police, "I'm like, 'Honestly, can I tie you up? I just want to f***ing go to sleep.'"
The suspect explained that he knew that Paul Pelosi was on a phone calling 911, and Pelosi was "pushing me into a corner where I have to do something."
DePape knew police would come to the Pacific Heights home after the 911 call, but he couldn't retreat because he was inspired by the "founding fathers."
"They fought the British. They fought the tyranny, they didn’t just f***ing surrender to it. When I left my house I went to fight tyranny, I did not leave to go surrender," DePape said.
DePape confessed to attacking Pelosi with a hammer during the police interrogation.
"I think he grabs the hammer so that I don’t hit him in retaliation (for the police showing up)," DePape admitted to police. "He thinks that I’ll just surrender. I didn’t come there to surrender. And I told (Paul Pelosi) that I will go through him."
He continued, "So I basically yanked it away from him and hit him. I’m there for the fight. If you stop me from going after evil you will take the punishment instead."
When asked if he regrets his actions, DePape responded, "No, it needed to be done."
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(WARNING: Explicit language)
Confession tape: DePape confesses and explains why he targeted Pelosi www.youtube.com
Graphic bodycam video shows suspect violently swing hammer at Paul Pelosi after police arrive
The video from last year's hammer attack on Paul Pelosi was released to the public on Friday. The police bodycam video shows the husband of Nancy Pelosi in his San Francisco home being brutally attacked by a man with a hammer.
Paul Pelosi, 82, was attacked with a hammer in the early hours of Oct. 28.
Suspect David DePape reportedly broke into the Pelosi home in the affluent neighborhood of Pacific Heights. He allegedly asked, "Where's Nancy? Where's Nancy?" At the time, the former speaker of the House was in Washington, D.C.
DePape purportedly detained Paul Pelosi. However, Pelosi was reportedly able to go to the bathroom, where his phone was charging, and he called 911.
Police dispatcher Heather Grives allegedly informed police officers that the reporting person of the incident at the Pelosi residence told her, "There is a male in the home and that he is going to wait for his wife. However, he stated that he doesn't know who the male is but that his name is 'David 'and that he is a friend."
At 2:27 a.m., police reportedly arrived at the Pelosi home for a "priority well-being check."
The newly-released police bodycam footage shows two officers approach the Pelosi residence. An officer knocks on the front door. A few seconds later, the door opens. DePape and Pelosi are holding a hammer.
Pelosi, dressed in a button-down shirt and underwear, warmly greeted the officers, "Hey guys. How are ya?"
A police officer asked, "What's going on man?"
DePape responded, "Everything's good."
Pelosi was seemingly smiling. He appeared to be holding a beverage in his left hand.
The officer instructed DePape to "drop the hammer," but he replied, "Nope."
Pelosi and DePape can be seen struggling over the hammer, then the suspect wrestled it away. Pelosi attempted to flee to another room, but the suspect lunged and violently swung the hammer at Pelosi.
Police officers jumped into action and a struggle ensued. The shaky video shows all of the men on the floor of the home.
Police attempted to detain the suspect while Pelosi was motionless on the ground.
As an officer was attempting to handcuff DePape, the cop shouted, "Give me your f***ing hand!"
Pelosi can be heard moaning in pain in the background.
WARNING: Graphic video
\u201c#EXCLUSIVE\nJust released police body camera video shows moments David DePape attacked Paul Pelosi at his# San Francisco home\n\nWARNING: VIDEO IS GRAPHIC\n\n#PaulPelosi #BREAKING\n@Nbcbayarea\u201d— Bigad Shaban (@Bigad Shaban) 1674839232
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stephen M. Murphy ordered the San Francisco District Attorney's Office to release police body camera video, audio from police interviews with alleged attacker David DePape, 911 calls, home surveillance video, and other investigative material.
A coalition of news organizations requested the materials be released in the name of transparency. DePape's lawyers argued that the release of the materials would "irreparably damage" his right to a fair trial.
DePape, 42, lived in a school bus in Berkeley, according to the New York Post. The bus sits in the yard of the home of his ex-lover – San Francisco pro-nudist activist Gypsy Taub. DePape was allegedly a hemp jewelry maker who grew up in British Columbia, Canada.
DePape was hit with state charges of attempted murder, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, false imprisonment of an elder, and threats against a public official and their family. The Department
Federal prosecutors charged DePape with attempted kidnapping and assault with intent to retaliate against a federal official by threatening or injuring a family member.
DePape has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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San Francisco NBC affiliate investigative team releases new report corroborating details of Paul Pelosi attack that got NBC News reporter suspended
The NBC affiliate in San Francisco released a new report regarding the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi in the early hours of Oct. 28. Interestingly enough, the new report from the affiliate's investigative team corroborates several details from an earlier NBC News report that the outlet determined was not up to par with its "reporting standards."
On Nov. 4, NBC News national correspondent Miguel Almaguer delivered new details regarding the attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband at the couple's home in San Francisco. The report aired on the "Today" show and was promoted on the TV program's website.
The NBC News report claimed, "Officers were unaware that it was the home of the House speaker."
Officers allegedly knocked on the front door of the home around 2:30 a.m., and Pelosi answered the door.
NBC News reported, "The 82-year-old did not immediately declare an emergency or try to leave his home. But instead, he began walking several feet back into the foyer, toward the assailant and away from police."
There was reportedly a struggle between Pelosi and the home invader. David DePape, 42, then allegedly hit Pelosi in the head with a hammer. Police arrested DePape.
Pelosi was reportedly lying in a puddle of his own blood after the hammer attack. He was rushed to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and was diagnosed with a fractured skull. He was released from the hospital on Nov. 3.
NBC News vanished the report about the Paul Pelosi attack just hours after it aired.
NBC News said: "The piece should not have aired because it did not meet NBC News reporting standards."
TheBlaze contacted NBC News to find out exactly what in the report did not meet the reporting standards, but the outlet did not respond.
Washington Post media critic Paul Farhi wrote on Nov. 5:
Much of Almaguer’s account was inaccurate, based on flawed information provided by a source who was unnamed in the report, according to people at the network. Those people said Almaguer was incorrect when he reported that the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) gave police no indication he was in danger when he answered the door. In fact, San Francisco police have said that Pelosi was struggling with the intruder, David DePape, when they first saw him.
On Nov. 14, the Daily Beast reported that Almaguer was suspended following an internal investigation.
Almaguer began his television career with California's KSBW in 2000. Almaguer provided reporting to "NBC Nightly News," MSNBC, and "Today." Almaguer won an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2004, and an Emmy Award in 2007 for his reporting on the San Diego wildfires.
NBC's San Francisco affiliate — KNTV, also known as NBC Bay Area — released a report that shared the same details as the since-deleted NBC News account. KNTV's investigative team cites an unnamed source who allegedly personally viewed the police body cam video of the attack on Pelosi.
KNTV reported that the source said the body cam video contradicts "one of the details included in the Department of Justice's account of what happened that evening."
NBC Bay Area senior investigative reporter Bigad Shaban said, "This all has to do with the moments, seconds really, just before Paul Pelosi was struck in the head with a hammer inside his San Francisco home. Now, there continues to be contradicting accounts of a relatively simple question. Who opened the door that night when San Francisco police arrived to the Pelosi house?"
The federal indictment said that the "two officers" opened the front door. However, the office of San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins previously stated, "Mr. Pelosi opened the door with his left hand."
Shaban, citing the source familiar with the investigation, said, "Officers knocked on the door of the Pelosi home, then backed away. And the video clearly shows Paul Pelosi open the door with his left hand. Just like what was noted in the documents filed by the DA's office."
Shaban continued, "The body cam video shows officers having a brief conversation with Pelosi and David DePape ... before DePape starts beating Pelosi with a hammer."
Shaban requested a comment from the Department of Justice on the discrepancy between the two accounts, but the DOJ did not respond.
Shaban asked Jenkins why Pelosi didn't flee from the crime scene when police arrived.
Jenkins said she wouldn't speculate or start "Monday-morning quarterbacking" as to why someone took the actions he did.
"We know that all victims of crime respond very differently under the stress of the situation," Jenkins said. "And I don't think it's fair for us to place what we believe."
Earlier this month, Jenkins said that some evidence in the Paul Pelosi case, including the body cam footage, would not be released to the public.
"For us, revealing that evidence through the media is just not what we think is appropriate," Jenkins told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "We want to make sure that this individual is held accountable for these egregious acts. For us, we’re going to make sure that we limit the evidence as much as possible in order to get that done."
Body Cam Video Shows Paul Pelosi Opened Door for Police, Despite DOJ Saying Otherwise: Source www.youtube.com
Mark Levin eviscerates Liz Cheney's gushing promotion of Democrats days before the midterms
Liz Cheney claims to be a Republican, but according to Mark Levin, Liz seems more of a "Democrat stooge" who "craves the limelight." In the wake of the attack on Paul Pelosi, Mark says liberal media outlets are trotting Liz out to push their conspiratorial theories against Republicans.
In this clip, Mark Levin played a clip featuring Liz Cheney appearing to appeal for sympathy votes by playing up the recent threats against Pelosi and others.
Mark explained that he has been a target of threats and that all members of Congress have likely been targets of threats. "It is a huge problem," Mark explained. "It is a bipartisan problem."
Cheney went on to tell PBS News Hour that since she began serving on the Jan. 6 committee, she believes Nancy Pelosi to be a "tremendous leader" of "historic consequence."
Mark's rebuttal was epic. Video below.
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