The man accused of bludgeoning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in late October as part of a failed bid to kidnap one of the nation’s most powerful politicians told police that his victim “pushed me into a corner” by calling for help during the early-morning attack, according to an interview played during a court hearing Wednesday.
David DePape described in detail holding Paul Pelosi in his house against his will in the recordings, played by prosecutors during a preliminary hearing to determine whether DePape will go to trial on state charges. He also could be heard discussing the attack itself, which ended when he allegedly struck Pelosi in the head with a hammer as the two struggled over the tool.
The interview recording, as well as 911 recordings and police body-camera footage, highlighted a key evidence hearing Wednesday to determine whether DePape will stand trial in San Francisco County Superior Court on a slew of charges in the late October attack. DePape also faces federal charges in the case.
