A federal judge in San Francisco has decided to reopen the sentencing hearing for a man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's home and assaulted her husband with a hammer. The judge, Jacqueline Scott Corley, acknowledged that she failed to allow the defendant, David DePape, to speak during his court appearance last week, which was a clear error on her part.
During the initial sentencing, DePape was given a 20-year sentence for attempting to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and a 30-year sentence for the assault on Paul Pelosi, the maximum for both counts. However, the judge did not offer DePape the opportunity to make a statement before being sentenced, as required by law.
Prosecutors filed a motion after the sentencing, pointing out the oversight and requesting the court to reopen the hearing to allow DePape to speak and present any information to mitigate the sentence. DePape's defense attorneys opposed bringing him back to court but appealed the verdict shortly after the sentencing.
DePape, 44, was found guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. The attack on Paul Pelosi, captured on police body camera video, left him with severe injuries, including a skull fracture that required surgical intervention.
DePape admitted to breaking into the Pelosis' home with the intention of holding Nancy Pelosi hostage and forcing her to admit to corruption. He also confessed to assaulting Paul Pelosi with a hammer when confronted by police, citing his belief in baseless conspiracy theories.
Judge Corley emphasized the seriousness of breaking into an elected official's private residence and expressed concerns about DePape's potential danger to society. She noted that DePape, a Canadian immigrant, will be deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement upon completing his sentence.
The new sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 28, allowing DePape the opportunity to address the court before his final sentence is determined.
