World Courant
The person accused of brutally attacking former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer apologized in court docket Tuesday, whereas describing conspiracy theories about why he went to the couple’s San Francisco residence to finish what he considered as authorities corruption.
In remarks that lasted greater than an hour, a tearful David DePape defined how he switched from the political left to proper after studying a touch upon a YouTube video about former President Donald Trump.
“When he was on the bottom respiration, I used to be actually scared for his life,” DePape mentioned in federal court docket in San Francisco FOX San Francisco reported. “And later within the hospital, I felt actually dangerous for him as a result of we had a extremely good rapport and issues have been going good till the final second.”
Prosecutors allege DePape broke into the Pelosi residence on the night hours of Oct. 28, 2022, in an try to search out Nancy Pelosi. On Monday, Paul Pelosi testified that DePape repeatedly requested the place his spouse was.
PAUL PELOSI’S ACCUSED ATTACKER DAVID DEPAPE APPEARS IN CALIFORNIA COURT AS TRIAL JURY SELECTION KICKS OFF
A courtroom sketch depicts the trial of David DePape in Federal Courtroom in San Francisco, Calif., Tuesday. DePape turned emotional whereas being questioned by his protection lawyer. (Vicki Behringer)
“The door opened and a really giant man got here in with a hammer in a single hand and a few ties within the different and he mentioned, ‘The place’s Nancy?’ and I believe that woke me up,” Pelosi mentioned. “I’m asleep, and he bursts within the door and that woke me up.”
“It was an incredible shock to acknowledge that any individual had damaged into the home and taking a look at him and searching on the hammer and the ties, I acknowledged that I used to be in critical hazard, so I attempted to remain as calm as attainable,” he mentioned.
DePape mentioned he went to the Pelosis’ residence to speak to Nancy Pelosi about Russian involvement within the 2016 election, and that he deliberate to put on an inflatable unicorn costume and add his interrogation of her on-line.
Paul Pelosi referred to as the police through the residence intrusion however DePape struck him with a hammer when officers arrived.
DePape, 43, mentioned he felt dangerous for Pelosi after listening to testimony from a neurosurgeon who operated on him after the assault and testified Pelosi had two wounds on his head, together with a fracture to his cranium that needed to be mended with plates and screws. Pelosi additionally wanted stitches on accidents to his proper arm and hand.
PAUL PELOSI TESTIFIES IN TRIAL OF MAN ACCUSED OF BRUTALLY ATTACKING HIM WITH HAMMER INSIDE HOME
A courtroom sketch depicts the trial of David DePape in Federal Courtroom in San Francisco, Calif., Tuesday. DePape testifies whereas being proven the hammer used within the alleged assault on Paul Pelosi. (Vicki Behringer)
“He was by no means my goal and I’m sorry that he obtained harm,” DePape mentioned. “I reacted as a result of my plan was principally ruined,” he mentioned when requested why he hit Pelosi.
DePape testified he first was drawn to conspiracies after studying about “Gamergate,” an internet harassment marketing campaign in opposition to ladies within the video gaming neighborhood that came about a couple of decade in the past. He mentioned he typically performed video video games for as much as six hours a day whereas listening to political podcasts.
He mentioned he believed information shops repeatedly lied about former Trump, particularly mentioning CNN. DePape echoed the baseless rants, together with a QAnon conspiracy concept that claims the U.S. authorities is run by a cabal of devil-worshipping pedophiles, however he didn’t point out that Tuesday.
He mentioned his different targets included a ladies’s and queer research professor on the College of Michigan, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks and President Joe Biden’s son Hunter. He instructed jurors that he heard in regards to the professor whereas listening to conservative commentator James Lindsay.
“The takeaway I obtained is that she needs to show our faculties into pedophile molestation factories,” mentioned DePape, a Canadian citizen who moved to the U.S. greater than 20 years in the past.
The unidentified professor testified that a few of her writings have been misconstrued to suit a story in opposition to the homosexual motion. U.S. District Choose Jacqueline Scott Corley ordered her identify not be put within the public file due to threats in opposition to her.
Requested by DePape’s protection lawyer if she supported the abuse of kids, the professor responded, “Completely not.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
She mentioned that after Paul Pelosi was attacked, the FBI knowledgeable her that she was DePape’s predominant goal. She mentioned that she instructed college directors and that they’ve taken measures to guard her, her college students, and different employees.
Different witnesses included Daniel Bernal, Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco chief of employees, and DePape neighbor Elizabeth Yates, who mentioned she allowed him to bathe at her residence as soon as every week.
Closing arguments are anticipated on Wednesday. DePape faces life in jail if convicted.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
David DePape weeps on stand, apologizes to Paul Pelosi for hammer assault
World Information,Subsequent Large Factor in Public Knowledg
