Paul Pelosi.Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP/Shutterstock
David DePape, the 42-year-old man accused ofviolently attacking Paul Pelosiearly Friday morning, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in a San Francisco court Tuesday.
Paul, 82, suffered a fractured skull and other serious injuries and has a “long recovery ahead,” according to the House speaker. Hesuccessfully underwent surgeryto repair his skull on the day of the attack.
On Monday, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkinsformally charged the suspectwith attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, false imprisonment, and threatening the life or serious bodily harm to a public official.
“DePape will be held accountable for his violent and depraved attack, and we will prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law,“Jenkins tweetedafter the charges were announced. “When citizens of our city suffer as victims of crime, we will hold perpetrators accountable for their actions and work to deliver justice for all.”
He was also charged with two federal felonies Monday: assaulting an immediate family member of a federal official and attempting to kidnap a federal official. If convicted in both cases, he faces decades in prison.
Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty
The complaint suggests that DePape entered the home with plans to hold the House speaker hostage, break her kneecaps if she did not cooperate, and use her to set an example to other Democratic lawmakers. The evidence comes from a taped interview with the suspect himself, in which he described his plans and actions to San Francisco police officers.
One thing the intruder seemingly didn’t consider was whether Nancy, who spends much of her time working in Washington, D.C., would be home. She wasn’t, foiling his supposed plan and allegedly sparking chaos as he scrambled to figure out what to do about her husband, Paul, also 82.
Armed with twist ties, rope, tape and the hammer reportedly used to break through the home’s sliding glass door, DePape allegedly tried restraining Paul so that they could wait for Nancy to return — but Paul soon got away to the bathroom with a phone to dial 911.
“DePape explained that he did not leave after [Paul’s] call to 9-1-1 because, much like the American founding fathers with the British, he was fighting against tyranny without the option of surrender,” the complaint reads. He allegedly told officers that he was willing to go “through” Paul if needed.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.
source: people.com
