David DePape, the man who allegedly attacked Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been charged Monday with assault and attempted kidnapping, the Justice Department said.
DePape, 42, has been charged with attempted kidnapping after assuring police he planned to «hold hostage» the speaker, who was not at home at the time, a charge for which he could face up to 20 years in prison.
As for the other charge against him, assault, the maximum penalty is 30 years in prison because he is an immediate family member of a U.S. public official, according to CNN.
DePape is expected to appear in court this week on state charges other than those just discussed. San Francisco Police have specified that the suspect could face charges of attempted murder, first-degree robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, elder abuse, threatening a public official or family member, among others.
U.S. Marshals recovered flanges in Pelosi’s bedroom and in the hallway near the front door of the home. In DePape’s backpack they also found, among other items, a roll of duct tape, a white rope, a hammer, a pair of rubber gloves, cloth and a diary.
The suspect also conveyed to investigators that «by breaking Nancy’s kneecaps, she would have to be wheeled to Congress, which would show other members of Congress that their actions have consequences,» NBC News has learned.
Paul Pelosi, 82, underwent «successful» surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands after the assailant, hammer in hand, asked him where his wife was and assaulted him.
Pelosi managed to call the emergency services, who overheard a conversation in the background, after which the Police were dispatched to check what was happening. All this without the attacker having any evidence that there was an open line.
