Pelosi Attack Suspect Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Charges

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A man accused of attacking U.S. House Speaker's Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer pleaded not guilty this week to federal charges of attempted kidnap and assault on a federal official's family member.

David DePape, a 42-year-old resident of Richmond, appeared in court in San Francisco in orange jail clothing without handcuffs on Tuesday. He was assigned a public defender who entered the plea on his behalf.

Depape was indicted last week on federal charges after he was accused off breaking into the Pelosi's San Francisco home a week before the midterm elections. Paul Pelosi's attack unfolded amid rising extremism and as threats against lawmakers and election officials soared.

Federal charges include assault upon an immediate family member of a U.S. official with the intent to retaliate against the official on account of the performance of official duties. Another charge was added that claims Depape attempted to kidnap Nancy Pelosi.

The assault charge carries a maximum 30-year prison sentence, and his kidnapping charge carries an additional 20 years maximum, according to the United States Department of Justice.

On Oct. 28, officers arriving at Paul Pelosi's home found the House Speaker's husband and DePape fighting over a hammer, according to the indictment.

An officer commanded DePape to drop the hammer but he responded, "ummm nope," before forcefully swinging it at Paul Pelosi's head.

The tussle ensued for about 15 seconds and ended with Pelosi and DePape lying on the floor with blood swelling around Pelosi's head. He was rushed to a trauma center for his fractured skull.

Paul Pelosi told ambulance workers that he was asleep when an unknown man entered his bedroom and demanded to speak to Nancy, according to the affidavit.

When Paul Pelosi told him that Nancy Pelosi was not there, DePape said that he would sit and wait, even after being told she would be gone for several days, the affidavit says.

DePape said that he was going to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and talk to her. He claimed that if Nancy Pelosi were to tell him the “truth,” he would let her go, and if she “lied,” he was going to break “her kneecaps,” the affidavit says. DePape told officers he saw Nancy Pelosi as the "leader of the pack" and wanted her to be wheeled into Congress to show others there were consequences to actions, the affidavit says.

Police later recovered zip ties, a roll of tape, white rope, a second hammer, and a pair of rubber and cloth gloves.

DePape is being held without bail in California custody.