The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended a 40-year prison term for David DePape, who was found guilty of assaulting Paul Pelosi, the spouse of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In November of last year, DePape was convicted of assault and attempted kidnapping. The charges stemmed from an incident where DePape unlawfully entered the Pelosi residence and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer in an attempt to locate the former Speaker.
In a legal document submitted on Friday, the DOJ affirmed its pursuit of the maximum penalty for DePape's crimes. The document read, "The nature and circumstances of the offense warrant statutory maximums on each count. The core of both crimesthe attempted kidnapping of a public official and the assault on the family member of a public officialis violence aimed at punishing the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. Both crimes are an assault on our democracy and fundamental values."
The jury dismissed DePape's argument that his actions were driven by factors other than Pelosi's official role. The court document continued, "The defendant claimed that he went to the Pelosis home to inflict violence on the Speaker Emerita. He wanted to teach a lesson. The violent lessons that the defendant wanted to teach are not permitted in this country, and the sentence that this Court imposes must reflect the nature and circumstances of the offense."
The DOJ's filing further stated that there was "nothing about the history and characteristics of the defendant that warrant leniency." It elaborated, "The defendant has admittedindeed braggedthat he knew what he was doing when he packed his bags and went to the Pelosis home. The government acknowledges that the defendant had difficult relationship with his biological father and then with a romantic partner."
The document suggested that DePape's isolation may have led him to consume media that influenced his actions. However, it emphasized that his personal history and characteristics do not excuse his actions or provide a reason for leniency, given the violent extremism he displayed in October 2022.
During his trial in San Francisco, DePape expressed remorse to Paul Pelosi, stating that he was not the intended target of his actions. "When he was on the ground breathing, I was really scared for his life, DePape said in federal court in San Francisco. And later in the hospital, I felt really bad for him because we had a really good rapport and things were going good until the last second.
DePape's sentencing is set for May 17th.
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