Paul Pelosi's attacker makes startling revelations in tearful testimony

San Francisco, California - The man accused of attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul with a hammer last year told a California jury that the former House speaker's spouse was never his "intended target" and that he's sorry for the injuries he inflicted.

David DePape (l.) said he regretted the injuries he caused Paul Pelosi, who was never the "intended target" of his attack.
David DePape (l.) said he regretted the injuries he caused Paul Pelosi, who was never the "intended target" of his attack.  © IMAGO / UPI Photo

David DePape entered the Pelosi home in San Francisco at the end of October 2022, a few days before the midterm elections, wielding rope, gloves, duct tape and a small sledgehammer.

DePape, who faces possible life in prison if convicted of assault and kidnapping, detailed his conspiracy beliefs in the courtroom, a day after Pelosi himself testified about the harrowing experience.

He cried several times on the stand as he detailed his view of the world, according to multiple reports.

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DePape explained that he listened to right-wing podcasts and believed in conspiracy theories, including that the US government was responsible for 9/11 and that politicians are part of a network of pedophiles.

His initial plan was to target Nancy Pelosi, and on encountering her husband kept asking, "Where's Nancy?"

Paul Pelosi managed to alert the police, and officers captured the assault on body cams.

"I reacted because my plan was basically ruined," DePape said of the alleged attack.

DePape had "really good rapport" with Paul Pelosi

DePape maintains he never targeted Nancy Pelosi (c.) over her status as a federal official.
DePape maintains he never targeted Nancy Pelosi (c.) over her status as a federal official.  © POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Paul Pelosi "appeared to be genuinely remorseful about the corruption in (Washington) DC," DePape testified, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "We had a really good rapport... Things were going pretty good until the very last second."

At the time, Nancy Pelosi was second in line to the presidency and a regular target of far-right conspiracy theories.

DePape, a Canadian citizen, said he hoped to attack others, including a feminist academic whom he accused of turning US schools into "pedophile molestation factories" and destroying children's sense of identity, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

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Other personalities the defendant admitted wanting to attack included California Governor Gavin Newsom, President Joe Biden's son Hunter, and actor Tom Hanks.

DePape has pleaded not guilty. His defense admits the assault, but disputes that he specifically intended to attack Nancy Pelosi as a federal official – a key factor for the prosecution.

Cover photo: IMAGO / UPI Photo

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