A jury found David DePape guilty Thursday morning of federal charges involving his attempt to kidnap former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and his brutal assault on her husband with a hammer last year.
The jury’s unanimous verdict was returned after roughly eight hours of deliberations, following a whirlwind four-day trial in San Francisco. DePape was specifically found guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assaulting a federal official’s family member.
“This verdict sends a clear message, regardless of what your beliefs are, what you cannot do is physically attack a member of Congress or their immediate family for the performance of their job,” U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey said during a brief press conference Thursday afternoon. Ramsey went on to thank the jury and wish Paul Pelosi a full recovery.
“Speaker Pelosi and her family are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and warm wishes for Mr. Pelosi from so many across the country during this difficult time,” a spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi said in a written statement released shortly after the jury read its verdict. “The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago and in the courtroom this week.”
DePape’s defense was a mystery leading into the trial, in part because of overwhelming evidence against him, captured on video and audio recordings, that had already reached the public. He also admitted his plans...
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