A Canadian man who grew up near Vancouver Island was sentenced to 30 years in U.S. prison on Friday for attacking then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer at their home in 2022.
Forty-four-year-old David DePape, who grew up in Powell River, B.C., was convicted of assault and attempted kidnapping of a federal official in November 2023.
On Friday, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison, 20 years for one count and 30 years for the other, with both sentences running concurrently, minus 18 months for time that he’s already served.
During his trial in 2022, DePape admitted that he broke into the Pelosis’ home in San Francisco with a plan to hold the speaker hostage, amid what he thought was government corruption in the U.S.
He testified that while he was at the home, he struck Paul Pelosi, who was 82 at the time, with a hammer.
The incident marked the first time that someone broke into a U.S. elected official’s home, the court heard Friday.
Nancy Pelosi was not at home at the time of the attack, while Paul Pelosi suffered two head wounds, including a skull fracture that required plates and screws, as well as injuries to his right arm and hand.
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DePape moved to California roughly 20 years ago, after growing up in Powell River for more than two decades, just a short ferry ride away from Comox.
He also faces state charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary and other felonies. Jury selection in that trial is expected to start Wednesday.
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The Associated Press
Adam Chan
