The man accused of assaulting the husband of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi told investigators the interaction during the incident was ‘quite friendly’ before attacking the 82-year-old man with a hammer, according to a statement released Wednesday at trial (12/14).
David DePape, 42, is appearing in a San Francisco court to determine whether his case will go to trial.
The former nudist activist has denied attempted murder and other charges related to his October burglary, in which he intended to kidnap Nancy Pelosi, as he admitted to police.
Instead, he found Nancy’s husband Paul Pelosi, 82, whom he allegedly hit with a hammer.
Prosecutors released footage of DePape’s interview with the hospital’s investigative team before Judge Stephen Murphy.
The suspect, who is a Canadian citizen, admitted to telling Paul he had no intention of turning himself in, according to reports. San Francisco Chronicles.
“I threatened him several times, but for the most part (the interactions) were pretty friendly,” DePape can be heard saying in the interview clip.
But when he lunged at Pelosi, he did it ‘full force’, reports the Chronicle.
The US Department of Justice says DePape intends to tie up Nancy Pelosi, one of America’s most influential politicians, and smash her kneecaps with a hammer if she doesn’t admit the “lies of the Democratic Party.
DePape was carrying duct tape, rope, cable and other tools at the time of the incident, the Justice Department said.
Nancy Pelosi, who is second in the US presidency after Vice President Kamala Harris, was not in San Francisco when the attack happened.
Paul Pelosi managed to contact the police when the attacker was at home.
Police were later able to apprehend the attacker after he hit Paul in the head with a hammer – resulting in a fractured skull – until he lost consciousness.
On Wednesday, prosecutors showed footage from the body camera of one of the officers, according to reports. the Chronicle.
In the footage, DePape says “no” as he is ordered to drop the hammer he is holding before launching the attack and a fight ensues.
“A sound like a growl [Paul] Pelosi is heard loudly at the end of the video,” the Chronicle reported.
The attack and attempted kidnapping took place just days after the US midterm elections, with the US political atmosphere still heated as it was fueled by bizarre conspiratorial terror from national figures.
If the state’s trial continues and he is found guilty, DePape could face 13 years to life in prison, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said.
A separate federal case against DePape is still pending. He denied the kidnapping and assault charges in the case.
Paul Pelosi was hospitalized for almost a week after the attack, during which he underwent surgery.
Nancy Pelosi later said her husband was facing a “long process of recovery”. [rd/ka]
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