A man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Friday. The defendant, aged 44, was found guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official in November.
During the trial, the defendant admitted to breaking into the Pelosis’ San Francisco home with the intention of holding the speaker hostage and inflicting harm. He confessed to assaulting Paul Pelosi with a hammer after police arrived, citing his frustration with what he perceived as government corruption.
The attack on Paul Pelosi, captured on police body camera video just days before the midterm elections, sent shockwaves through the political world. The defendant's defense argued that his actions were driven by his political beliefs rather than an attempt to interfere with the speaker's official duties.
Testimony revealed that the defendant, a Canadian residing in the U.S. for over two decades, was influenced by conspiracy theories, including the baseless QAnon theory. He had planned to wear an inflatable unicorn costume and record his interaction with the speaker.
Prosecutors presented evidence that the defendant had rope, zip ties, body cameras, a computer, and a tablet in his possession during the incident. Paul Pelosi testified about the harrowing experience, recounting how he was confronted by the intruder in his bedroom and sustained serious injuries in the attack.
The defendant faces additional charges in state court, including assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and residential burglary. Jury selection for the state trial is set to commence in May.
