Update in Case Against Paul Pelosi Attacker David DePape

The trial of David DePape, who allegedly attacked Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul at their San Francisco home last year, will commence later in the year, according to court papers filed recently.

The federal prosecutors have revealed that “all discovery has been produced” in a court filing but there may be additional material. A hearing on DePape’s motion to change venues is expected on May 30. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Oct. 11, and his jury trial is set for Oct. 23. A stipulated pretrial schedule is due to be submitted by April 5.

Reporters who attended the federal courthouse in San Francisco said that DePape appeared in court on Wednesday. His lawyer advised the court that he is planning to file a change of venue motion soon, according to reports.

Formerly, DePape pleaded not guilty to federal charges of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assaulting a family member of a federal official. He also faces state charges, including attempted murder.

DePape, 43, is accused of attacking Paul Pelosi, 82, on the morning of Oct. 28 after allegedly breaking into their San Francisco home. Earlier this year, police bodycamera footage revealed DePape and Pelosi speaking with officers before the suspect allegedly struck the elderly man in the head with a hammer. Surveillance footage prior to the attack was also made public and showed DePape rifling through a bag of items before breaking a window to the Pelosis’ San Francisco house.

Police Lt. Carla Hurley testified during a court hearing in December that DePape wanted to smash Nancy Pelosi’s kneecaps and put her in a wheelchair. He had other targets as well, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Hurley said.

Additional Details

According to federal investigators, DePape, a Canadian citizen who was believed to be illegally in the United States after overstaying his visa, stated that he intended to kidnap Speaker Pelosi and wanted to speak to her. They categorized the event as being politically motivated, but the members of DePape’s family have questioned the official narrative.

“DePape also later explained that by breaking Nancy’s kneecaps, she would then have to be wheeled into Congress, which would show other members of Congress there were consequences to actions,” an FBI agent said in an affidavit that was filed in conjunction with the criminal complaint. “DePape also explained generally that he wanted to use Nancy to lure another individual to DePape.”

A few weeks ago, DePape called local news outlet KATU-TV and said that he carried out the attack because “liberty isn’t dying, it’s being killed systematically and deliberately.” He further stated that those who are killing liberty have “names and addresses.”

DePape’s former girlfriend, Oxane “Gypsy” Taub, stated a few weeks after the attack in October that DePape held left-wing, progressive political views and described him as a “peace activist.” However, she and others who knew him suggested that he may have had mental health issues.

A trial in the state case against DePape has not yet been scheduled. If convicted on state charges, he could face life in prison, and for federal charges, he could face between 20 and 30 years in jail.