The Justice Department is seeking a 40-year sentence for David DePape under a 'terrorism enhancement' in connection to the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi at his and his wife, Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s California home. Federal prosecutors filed a memo in the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division, expressing disagreement with the Probation Office’s decision not to apply the terrorism enhancement. DePape showed 'no remorse' after the attack, which prosecutors argued was aimed at punishing the former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
DePape was convicted 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, occurred just days before the 2022 midterm elections. DePape admitted during trial testimony that he broke into the Pelosi home intending to hold the then-Speaker hostage and assaulted Paul Pelosi with a hammer.
Prosecutors argued that DePape's actions were an assault on democracy and fundamental values, regardless of his claimed motivations. They recommended a 20-year term for the attempted kidnapping count and 30 years for the assault count, with additional supervised release and special assessments. The government emphasized that DePape's violent extremism and lack of remorse warranted a significant sentence.
DePape's defense attorneys cited his political beliefs and isolation as contributing factors to the attack. However, prosecutors maintained that these factors did not excuse the violent nature of the offense. DePape's actions, including planning a violent hostage-taking and inflicting severe injuries, were deemed as unacceptable and deserving of a lengthy sentence.
The Court is scheduled to impose a sentence on DePape, who expressed his views through a call to a newsroom from custody. The government's recommendation reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and the need to uphold the rule of law in the face of violent extremism.
