The Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing for a 40-year prison sentence for the individual who attacked the husband of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in 2022.
Prosecutors are seeking maximum penalties for David DePape, the individual who unlawfully entered Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s residence and attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, using a hammer. DePape was convicted of both counts in 2023.
“The prosecutors argued in a memorandum filed on Friday in a U.S. District Court in San Francisco that the sentence must serve the purpose of both specific and general deterrence.”
“This case offers an opportunity to address individuals who may be contemplating ideologically motivated acts of violence,” they emphasized. “It serves as a powerful deterrent, sending a clear message that violent attacks driven by extremist beliefs will face severe legal consequences.”
In November of last year, DePape was convicted of assault and kidnapping charges.
In court, he apologized and clarified that Pelosi’s husband was never his intended target.
The prosecutors are aiming to categorize his offense as an act of “terrorism.”
The prosecutors argue that the defendant had the intention to promote a federal crime of terrorism, and as a result, they believe that the terrorism enhancement should be applied in this case.
DePape is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17th.