Violent details emerge of San Francisco assault
- David DePape allegedly ignored security cameras and 911 call to fight ‘tyranny.’
- Paul Pelosi called 911 as DePape watched and police officers arrived within minutes.
- DePape faces 13 years to life in prison if convicted of state charges including attempted murder.
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Paul Pelosi was released from the hospital Thursday.
Paul Pelosi awoke twice in the early hours of Oct. 28. The first time he groggily discovered a hammer-wielding intruder in his bedroom asking for his wife, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The second time, he regained consciousness in a pool of his own blood, having suffered a fractured skull grappling with the assailant in front of police.
State and federal prosecutors who charged the suspect – David DePape, 42, of Richmond, California – with attempting to murder Paul Pelosi said he was on a suicide mission, threatening to kneecap Nancy Pelosi and hunt down other unspecified public officials, according to court documents.
“It is certainly something that has unnerved us all,” San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins told reporters of the attack, referring to tragedies with past political leaders such as the 1978 assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and city Supervisor Harvey Milk. “It’s something we have to take very seriously.”
Paul Pelosi released from hospital:House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband left a San Francisco hospital Thursday
DePape, who is being held at the San Francisco County Jail, faces 13 years to life in prison if convicted of state charges including attempted murder, burglary and elder abuse. He has pleaded not guilty and has a hearing scheduled for Friday. Federal prosecutors charged him with assault on a relative of a federal official and attempted kidnapping of a federal official.
Paul Pelosi was released from the hospital Thursday.
Here is what we know about the attack that began just after 2 a.m., from court records and news conferences, as authorities piece together police reports, video from body-worn cameras, a recording of the 911 call and other evidence:
A break-in, a startling wake-up and then a question: ‘Where’s Nancy?’
DePape allegedly said he knew he would be caught on Ring security cameras positioned around the exterior of the Pacific Heights house. But he was surprised to find Paul Pelosi, 82, still asleep after the noise he made smashing the window of a glass door to get inside.
Pelosi, who was sleeping in a pajama top and boxer shorts, startled awake to find DePape allegedly standing over him with a hammer in his right hand and several white zip ties in his left hand.
“Are you Paul Pelosi?” DePape allegedly asked. “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?”
Pelosi responded groggily after being awakened. “She’s not here,” he said.
“Well, when is she coming back?” DePape asked.
“She’s in Washington, she’s not going to be back for a couple of days,” Pelosi said.
DePape then threatened to tie up Paul Pelosi about 10 times.
“OK, well, I’m going to tie you up,” DePape said.
Paul Pelosi stood up and tried to leave by an elevator near the bedroom, but DePape held the door and prevented his escape. DePape later…
Read More: Violent details emerge of San Francisco assault