David DePape is currently awaiting the verdict for the Paul Pelosi assault trial as the jury is currently deliberating.
The federal trial of David DePape, who is accused of attacking Paul Pelosi, has reached the deliberation stage with the jury. The jury will now consider all the evidence presented before reaching a verdict.
On Wednesday, the jury began their discussions in the federal case against David DePape, who is accused of using a hammer to attack Paul Pelosi, the husband of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, at their San Francisco home last year. This comes after the closing statements were made.
DePape is
Accused of trying to abduct a government employee and attacking a relative of the employee.
The individual’s lawyers claimed that he did not intend to seek revenge on Nancy Pelosi for her duties as a Congress member, therefore the charges were not applicable. The jury started their deliberations on Wednesday afternoon.
If found guilty, DePape could potentially receive a life sentence. The jury was unable to come to a decision by 5 p.m., therefore they will resume deliberations on Thursday morning.
DePape emotionally recounted the incidents of October 28, 2022, which resulted in him using a hammer to strike Paul Pelosi multiple times, causing fractures to his skull and injuries to his hands and arms. The 43-year-old DePape explained to the jury that he went to the Pelosis’ residence as part of a larger plan to stop what he saw as corruption within the government.
He stated that his perspective was influenced by constant exposure to far-right media and aligned with conspiracy theories inspired by QAnon.
On Wednesday, the prosecution presented their final statements, including a recording of DePape stating to law enforcement that Nancy Pelosi was “the leader of the group” and explaining his reasons for visiting her home on October 28, 2022.
A roster of objectives
The break-in at the Pelosi residence was just the beginning of a series of planned attacks on progressive leaders and famous individuals who the intruder perceived as being involved in a harmful group that was causing the downfall of the nation. Among the other targets on his list were California Governor Gavin Newsom, Congressman Adam Schiff, actor Tom Hanks, Hunter Biden (son of President Joe Biden), and Dr. Gayle Rubin, a prominent scholar and professor at the University of Michigan specializing in women’s and queer studies. In legal documents, Dr. Rubin is referred to as “Target 1.”
DePape, a Canadian citizen who was living in a garage in Richmond at the time of the attack, testified that his plan was to get Nancy Pelosi and other targets to admit to their corruption. “If she lied, I would break her kneecaps,” he said. “The choice is on her.” He then wanted President Joe Biden to pardon the targets “so we can move forward as a country.”
Terrifying attack
In testimony Monday,
Paul Pelosi publicly shared his experience of the attack for the first time.
A man abruptly entered the bedroom and asked repeatedly, “Where’s Nancy?” The person in the room, Pelosi, informed him that she was in Washington DC. The man replied that he would have to wait for her.
“He said, she was the leader of the pack, he had to take her out, he was going to wait for her,” said Pelosi. “He was going to tie me up and wait for her.”
Pelosi reported that he managed to retrieve his phone and dialed 911, but upon the arrival of the police, DePape threatened to harm him.
DePape expressed regret that the person who was hurt was never their intended target.
When questioned about why he struck Pelosi, he stated, “I responded because my plan was essentially foiled.”
Experts in the field of law have stated that a prolonged period of consideration could potentially bode well for DePape and his legal representatives.
According to former federal prosecutor Anthony Brass, the jury’s deliberation time indicates that they are not only evaluating the violence and brutality of the assault, which has been witnessed by everyone, but also taking into account other factors.
The defense did not dispute the details of the attack, but instead argued that DePape should be found not guilty due to the fact that the charges of attempting to kidnap a federal official and assaulting a family member of a federal official must be connected to Pelosi’s official duties rather than solely political motivations.
UC Law San Francisco Professor Rory Little said that the defense attempted to confuse the jury regarding the elements of the crime and its legal components.
During their response, the prosecution dismissed the defense’s assertion that Pelosi’s official responsibilities and political obligations were purposely fabricated in order to mislead the jury regarding the accusations.
Little stated that the defense likely demonstrated that there was no premeditated intention to strike Paul Pelosi with a hammer, which is not a necessary component of the crime. However, if the jury is uncertain about the required elements, this could potentially work in favor of the defense.
DePape maintains his innocence and has entered a plea of not guilty for charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, and other felonies in state court. A trial date for the state charges has not yet been set.
Source: cbsnews.com