Paul Pelosi’s Attacker Apologizes, Judge Upholds Previous 30-Year Sentence: ‘I Should Have Left When Nancy Wasn’t There’

San Francisco Chronicle

After being sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his violent attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), David DePape was given another chance to speak to the court on Tuesday.

In an effort to garner sympathy for a lighter sentence, DePape expressed deep remorse over the crime he committed in October 2022 when he invaded the Pelosis’ San Francisco home in search of his target, then-Speaker Pelosi. She was not at home, but her husband was, and DePape assaulted him with a hammer, causing serious head injuries that he is still healing from today.

An error by U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley merited an additional court date for DePape to address the court, where he reportedly broke down in tears while apologizing for his actions. Politico wrote:

DePape spoke for about a minute. He apologized for harming Paul Pelosi and said he regretted not leaving the house after he broke in and realized Nancy Pelosi was out of town.

“I should have left when Nancy wasn’t there,” DePape said as he broke into tears and one of his attorneys patted him on the back. “I feel horrible about hurting Paul Pelosi.”

According to The New York Times, he also said: “I will never do anything violent like that ever again.”

For her part, Corley also apologized for initially denying DePape the chance to speak at his sentencing. But despite that, she upheld the 30-year sentence, stating: “This is an incredibly serious and horrible crime.”

While Tuesday’s court appearance marks the end of the federal case — for the attempted kidnapping of a federal officer and assault on an immediate family member of a federal official — DePape still faces state felony charges in California including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and elder abuse. According to the Times, opening arguments were expected to begin on Wednesday. DePape could face a maximum of life in prison if convicted.