David DePape, who attacked former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, will get a chance to speak before a final sentence is imposed, U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said on Saturday. Corley announced a 30-year sentence for DePape, 44, on Friday. DePape was convicted last year of two federal counts stemming from the October 2022 attack, during which he broke into the Pelosi home and hit Paul Pelosi, then 82, with a hammer. DePape broke in through the back door with plans to kidnap Nancy Pelosi, interrogate her and post footage online. He attacked Paul Pelosi, 82 at the time, in his bedroom with a hammer and zip ties, asking: “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?," The Guardian reports.
Paul Pelosi called 911, and police officers arrived just before DePape struck him in the head with a hammer, knocking him unconscious. Pelosi required surgery for a skull fracture as well as injuries to his arm and hands. The attack shortly before the 2022 midterm elections fueled fears over political violence. DePape had a history of promoting conspiracy theories online and had shared misinformation about COVID and the January 6, 2021 insurrection, as well as false claims that the 2020 election had been stolen from Donald Trump. He had been homeless and experiencing drug abuse and mental illness before the attack, said his ex-girlfriend told local media. DePape admitted to the attack, but said Paul Pelosi was “never my target and I’m sorry that he got hurt”. His attorney said DePape had targeted Nancy Pelosi because he believed “with every ounce of his body” that he was taking action to stop corruption and the abuse of children.