Paul Pelosi was set to take the stand Friday in San Francisco Superior Court against David DePape, who is accused of attacking him with a hammer in his own residence.
DePape, previously sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, allegedly attacked Pelosi in his home in October 2022, and the courtroom confrontation promised to be riveting, as KTVU in San Francisco reports.
The defendant, age 44, faces state charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and elder abuse, among others.
The prosecution has enlisted a neurologist who described the lingering impact of Paul Pelosi’s injuries sustained during the attack. In court, the state played a one-hour police interview with DePape that was conducted after his arrest.
A federal jury has already found DePape guilty of attempting to hold Paul Pelosi hostage and assaulting him.
The violent incident took place on Oct. 28, 2022, when DePape broke into the Pelosi residence.
DePape maintained during his federal trial that he did not intend to harm Paul Pelosi. Assistant District Attorney Sean Connolly began his opening statement on Wednesday, emphasizing the sanctity of one's home and the particular vulnerability of the elderly.
Connolly painted a vivid picture of the assault's aftermath, showcasing a disturbing photograph of Paul Pelosi lying in a pool of blood.
Defense attorney Adam Lipson has argued that DePape was living in isolation and was influenced by conspiracy theories at the time of the attack. According to Lipson, DePape resided in a garage in Richmond, spending nearly all his time playing video games and browsing the internet.
Lipson also noted that DePape reportedly believed he could communicate with fairies and had the ability to read minds. He highlighted that DePape had been diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder.
While acknowledging the severity of the attack, Lipson contended that DePape did not intend to kill Paul Pelosi. Instead, he argued, DePape lashed out irrationally when his plan did not go as intended.
Assistant D.A. Sean Connolly stressed the nature of the attack in his opening statements. “When we are asleep, we are most vulnerable, and our elderly are our most vulnerable citizens,” he stated. “Think about that: a home, in the middle of the night, a man alone, sleeping in his bed.”
Connolly portrayed Paul Pelosi's transition from a peaceful slumber to a traumatic ordeal as a significant point of reference. He continued to underscore the emotional and physical vulnerabilities that made the attack particularly heinous.
DePape's defense, meanwhile, has portrayed him as a delusional and socially isolated individual.
His lawyers are striving to mitigate the charges by painting DePape's actions as the result of a deeply disturbed mind rather than premeditated malevolence.
As the trial progresses, the jury will need to weigh the compelling evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense. Prosecutors aim to achieve a conviction that reflects the severity of the attack on an elderly individual in his home.
Paul Pelosi’s testimony was likely to be a pivotal part of the proceedings. His direct account of the events was poised to provide crucial insight into the aftermath of the brutal encounter.
In summary, Paul Pelosi was slated to testify Friday against David DePape in his state trial for attacking Pelosi with a hammer. DePape, who has already been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, is on trial for additional state charges including attempted murder and elder abuse.
Prosecutors are emphasizing the lasting impact of Pelosi's injuries and the vulnerability of elderly individuals in their homes, while DePape’s defense is focusing on his mental health and isolation at the time of the attack.
