The man suspected of violently assaulting the husband of Democratic congresswoman Nancy Pelosi has been charged with attempted kidnapping and assault, the US Department of Justice announced on Monday.
David DePape entered the couple’s home in San Francisco on Friday morning, equipped in particular with rope, pairs of gloves and adhesive tape, the ministry said in a press release.
So many elements which prove, according to justice, that he intended to kidnap the person in charge, a charge which could earn him up to 20 years in prison.
The man had entered the couple’s room looking for Nancy Pelosi, who was in Washington. He woke Paul Pelosi, 82, whom he then attacked with a hammer.
The 42-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene by police, who found Nancy Pelosi’s husband unconscious. Assaulting a family member of a US official faces a prison sentence of up to 30 years, the Justice Department said.
After his arrest, David DePape told officers he held Nancy Pelosi responsible for the “lies” he said were being spread by the Democratic Party, according to a court document attached to the department’s statement.
Explaining that he had intended to take her hostage and talk to her, the man explained that if she told him “the truth”, he would release her, but that “if she ‘lies’, he would ‘break her kneecaps’ “”, according to this same source.
Paul Pelosi “suffered the punishment for him,” said the suspect.
David DePape, who lived in a garage in a small town near San Francisco, had relayed far-right theories on social media.
Nancy Pelosi said she was “traumatized” on Saturday by the attack, adding that the state of health of Paul Pelosi, operated for a fractured skull and injuries to the arm and hands on Friday, continued to improve.
The American political class was unanimous in its condemnation of the attack. President Joe Biden in particular had denounced a “despicable” act.