Paul Pelosi's attacker found guilty in California on five additional charges for the attack in 2022

David DePape, Paul Pelosi's attacker, was found guilty of five felonies brought by the state of California in connection with his attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband in 2022.

Although DePape was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a federal official and the assault of an immediate family member of a federal official, he has now been charged with first-degree robbery, false imprisonment of an elderly man, threatening a relative of a public official, dissuading a witness and aggravated kidnapping. This latest conviction carries a sentence of life behind bars without the possibility of parole.

The state trial was marked by tense moments, especially when Judge Harry M. Dorfman dismissed three serious charges due to double jeopardy concerns with the federal case. However, the verdict finally marks the closure of a case that has resonated for its implications on political violence.

DePape, 44, broke into the then-House Speaker's home with a hammer, seeking to question her about conspiracy theories circulating on the Internet, including Pizzagate and QAnon. But upon entering the property, DePape found only Paul Pelosi.

When two police officers arrived at the property from a 911 call, DePape repeatedly hit the congresswoman's husband in the head with the hammer, causing a fractured skull and other injuries to his arm and hands.

During the trial, DePape never denied the facts. He admitted to having entered the residence and carrying out the attack on Paul Pelosi with the gavel. However, his defense attorney at the state trial, Adam Lipson, argued that conspiracy theories deeply influenced his client, who was suffering from mental illness at the time of the attack. Lipson tried to convince the jury that some charges had not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Pelosi family statement

After the ruling, the congresswoman's family reflected deep admiration and recognition of Paul Pelosi's bravery both during the attack and throughout his prolonged recovery, which spanned almost 20 months of intense physical and emotional challenges. They also stressed that his determination and resilience were evident in his testimony during the trial and his ability to overcome the difficult circumstances he faced since the initial incident.

“The Pelosi family is grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers they continue to receive. Speaker Pelosi and her family will refrain from further substantive comment until sentencing is complete,” the statement said.