DAVID WAYNE DEPAPE | Man Serving 30 Years for Attacking Nancy Pelosi’s Husband Gets a Life Term on State Charges | Attacked Paul Pelosi With a Hammer, Causing a Skull Fracture | ALS

David DePape. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Tehachapi, CA. April 16, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.

David Wayne DePape, a Canadian national, perpetrated a politically motivated attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in October 2022. Driven by conspiracy theories, DePape's actions led to severe injuries for Pelosi and resulted in both federal and state convictions. He is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The Hammer and the Hostage: The Radical Descent of David Wayne DePape

Basic Information:

David Wayne DePape was born in 1980 in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. As of October 2024, he is incarcerated at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, California, serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for his crimes. His criminal record includes convictions for attempted kidnapping of a federal official, assaulting an immediate family member of a federal official, aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening the family member of a public official, and dissuading a witness by force or threat.

Background:

DePape grew up in Powell River, British Columbia, before relocating to California approximately two decades ago to pursue a romantic relationship. In the San Francisco Bay Area, he became involved in pro-nudity activism and was known for participating in public demonstrations advocating for body freedom. Over time, DePape became increasingly isolated and immersed himself in online conspiracy theories, including QAnon and other far-right ideologies. His online presence reflected a deep belief in various unfounded conspiracies, which ultimately influenced his criminal actions.

Criminal Activity:

In the early hours of October 28, 2022, DePape broke into the San Francisco residence of Nancy and Paul Pelosi, intending to confront the Speaker. Armed with a hammer, zip ties, rope, and tape, he sought to take Nancy Pelosi hostage and interrogate her, threatening to break her kneecaps if she did not "tell the truth." Finding only Paul Pelosi at home, DePape confronted him, and when police arrived, he struck Pelosi in the head with the hammer, causing a skull fracture that required surgery. The attack was captured on police body-camera footage, providing clear evidence of the assault.

Legal Proceedings:

DePape was arrested at the scene and faced both federal and state charges. In federal court, he was convicted of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assaulting an immediate family member of a federal official, resulting in a 30-year prison sentence. Subsequently, in state court, he was convicted of aggravated kidnapping, first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening the family member of a public official, and dissuading a witness by force or threat. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, with the state sentence to be served concurrently with the federal sentence.

Impact on Victims and Society:

Paul Pelosi suffered significant physical injuries, including a skull fracture and damage to his right arm and hand, leading to lasting health issues. The attack had a profound psychological impact on the Pelosi family and heightened concerns about political violence in the United States. The incident underscored the dangers of radicalization through conspiracy theories and prompted discussions about the security of public officials and their families.

Current Status:

David DePape is currently serving his life sentence at the California Correctional Institution. Given the severity of his crimes and the life sentence without parole, he poses no further threat to society. There is no public record of rehabilitation efforts or expressions of remorse beyond his initial court appearances.

Conclusion:

The case of David DePape illustrates the potential for online radicalization to manifest in real-world violence. It highlights the importance of monitoring extremist content and providing support to individuals who may be susceptible to such influences. Preventative measures, including mental health support and community engagement, are crucial in mitigating the risk of similar attacks in the future.

Additional Note:

Given the notoriety of David DePape's actions and the extensive media coverage of his trial, any autographed items associated with him would be exceedingly rare and could hold significant value for collectors of true crime memorabilia.

VIDEO: Paul Pelosi Attacked with Hammer in Bizarre Burglary — What Really Happened? | https://youtu.be/WP3lNgR74zE

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