Latest News
David DePape Claims Conspiracy Theories Are To Blame For Paul Pelosi Hammer Attack
Published
8 months agoon
Details surrounding the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are scant, scandalous and shrouded in secrecy.
Conflicting reports, a usual 911 call and account regarding how the assailant gained entrance into the home and federal authorities taking over a local case are some of the red flags raised in the case.
On Oct. 28, 2022, DePape reportedly entered the Pelosi’s home with the intent of harming and kidnapping the speaker of the House. Authorities note that DePape was not wearing pants or a shirt and did not have a vehicle.
Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., at the time. Not finding the speaker, an agitated DePape reportedly turned to Paul Pelosi and yelled, “Where’s Nancy.”
Somehow, Paul was allowed to make a 911 call, who calmly informed the operator there was an intruder — DePape also spoke with the operator and left the line open after putting the phone down — prompting the operator to notify local authorities.
Though there are conflicting accounts of what happened next, police report that when they arrived, the two men were in a loose struggle with both grasping a five-pound hammer. Police ordered the men to drop the hammer just as DePape wrestled it away from Pelosi and hit him on the head several times before police lunged forward and tackled DePape.
Pelosi was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
On Tuesday, defendant Davide DePape took the stand in his own defense. In statements some suggested evidenced mental illness, DePape spoke of conspiracy theories and shared “outlandish things about multiple people,” including Nancy Pelosi, according to the Washington Examiner.
Reportedly, DePape claimed he was influenced by “right-wing” podcasts and YouTube channels, “often listening to them for hours.”
DePape testified, “At that time I was biased against [former President Donald] Trump, but there’s, like, truth there,” he said through tears. “So, if there’s truth out there that I don’t know, I want to know it.”
DePape testified his draw toward alt-political views went back to George W. Bush’s presidency, noting that he believed the 9/11 attack was an “inside job.”
When asked if he intended to harm additional people, DePape shared that his “target list” included “Tom Hanks, Mike Pence, Bernie, Hunter Biden and Gavin Newsom.”
Paul Pelosi testified that he has not talked about the attack to anyone beyond his family and investigators.
“I’ve tried to put it out of my mind,” he said. “I made the best effort I possibly can to not relive this.”
DePape’s federal trial is expected to end of the week. He faces life in prison if convicted on all charges.
The Examiner noted that DePape also faces other felony charges not addressed in this trial.
