(DailyDig.com) – A man who attempted to kidnap former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and injured her husband in a hammer attack was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
After the verdict, prosecutors requested that the court reopen the sentencing hearing because the defendant had not been given an opportunity to present anything in his favor to reduce his sentencing. Now, the court has admitted its mistake and will reopen the sentencing hearing on May 28.
Previously, District Court Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley imposed a 30-year prison sentence on David DePape, who was found guilty of attacking a family member of a federal government official and planning to kidnap a federal official.
During his trial, DePape admitted that he wanted to kidnap Pelosi and break her kneecaps with a hammer and tell other lawmakers that their actions do have real consequences.
He broke into the speaker’s California house at night after scouting through her garage, as shown by the surveillance footage. Afterward, he broke into the house through a glass door and confronted then-speaker’s husband Paul Pelosi, who was 82 years old at that time.
When the police arrived at the scene, DePape attacked Paul Pelosi with his hammer and fractured his skull; police interfered and eventually arrested him.
Prosecutors sought a 40-year prison term for DePape, but the judge ultimately sentenced him to 30 years.
DePape’s defense team argued that he was influenced by conspiracy theories and claimed the charges should be invalidated because his actions were motivated by political beliefs and he had no intention to disrupt Pelosi’s official duties.
Before breaking into Nancy Pelosi’s house, DePape had long advocated for far-right QAnon conspiracy theories, such as the belief that the US government is controlled by Satan-worshiping pedophiles.
DePape also disclosed plans to wear an “inflatable unicorn costume” while interrogating Pelosi after kidnapping her.
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