Funviralpark David DePap, who was charged with attacking the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with a hammer at his San Francisco home, pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
The arraignment in the San Francisco Superior Court comes two weeks after a judge ruled that he would face trial in the October attacks.
Michael Short/San Francisco Chronicle, AP, via FILE
Depapu, 42, has waived his right to a speedy trial. He will return to court on February 23 to set a trial date.
DePape faces charges in multiple states, including attempted murder, burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon.
At his first arraignment in November, Depapu pleaded not guilty through his public defender and denied all allegations.
DePape is also facing federal charges of assault and attempted kidnapping. He pleaded not guilty to those charges last month and remains in custody without bail.
San Francisco police and FBI agents work outside the home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after her husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked by a home burglar early in the morning on October 28, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
Arthur Don/EPA via Shutterstock
DePape is accused of using a hammer to break into the Pelosi mansion in San Francisco’s upscale Pacific Heights neighborhood just before 2 a.m. local time on October 28. He demanded to speak to “Nancy,” according to the federal complaint.
Paul Pelosi reportedly told DePappe he needed to use the restroom, got his cell phone and called 911. Officers told the men to drop their hammers. That’s when Depape allegedly swung the hammer under control and hit Paul Pelosi in the head.
Paul Pelosi suffered a fractured skull and serious injuries to his right arm and hand, but he is expected to make a full recovery.
“Mr. DePape will be indicted to the fullest extent of the law and held accountable for his heinous crimes,” San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a statement following Wednesday’s arraignment.
At a hearing earlier this month, prosecutors said they had new evidence in the case, including the 911 calls Paul Pelosi made the night of the attack, body camera footage from officers who responded, and a hammer they say was used in the attack. was presented.
DePape’s public defender, Adam Lipson, had no comment on the case after the hearing, saying DePape “will fight this case in court, not in the hallway.”
