In a recent development, David DePape, the man previously convicted in federal court for violently attacking House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul, has now been found guilty of five charges in state court.
The California jury convicted DePape of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment, threatening a family member of a public official, aggravated kidnapping, and preventing or dissuading a witness by force or threat. This verdict comes on the heels of DePape’s 30-year sentence from his conviction last year in connection with the October 2022 attack.
During the court proceedings, DePape displayed no visible reaction as the verdict was read, with his lawyer later stating their intention to appeal the case. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced at a press conference on Friday that DePape faces a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prior to the trial, Judge Harry M. Dorfman dismissed three of the charges DePape was facing, citing double jeopardy concerns raised by his defense team. DePape had previously been convicted in federal court for assault on the immediate family member of a federal official and attempted kidnapping of a federal official.
In reaction to the verdict, defense attorney Adam Lipson expressed DePape’s disappointment, noting that the jury deliberated for nearly 12 hours over three days. Lipson also highlighted DePape’s isolated and lonely life, along with his struggles with mental illness.
During a news conference, Jenkins defended the charges against DePape, stating that her office sought to hold him accountable for every criminal act committed that night. Aaron Bennett, a spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi, expressed gratitude for the continued support and stated that the family would refrain from commenting further until sentencing is complete.
No sentencing hearing has been scheduled yet, leaving the case open for further developments. It was revealed that DePape’s ex-wife, Gypsy Taub, was escorted out of the courtroom prior to the jury deliberations in the state case, after the judge found she had attempted to tamper with jury members.
In a related incident, graffiti promoting conspiracy theories from a website associated with Taub was discovered in a women’s bathroom near the courtroom. The San Francisco County Superior Court refrained from commenting on the matter, citing it as a pending case.
As the story unfolds, CNN reporters Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Taylor Romine provided additional insights and updates to this report.
