According to a federal criminal complaint filed on Monday, the man accused of bludgeoning U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer after breaking into the couple’s house threatened to take her hostage and smash her kneecaps if she lied under questioning.
Federal prosecutors charged David Wayne DePape, 42, with assault and attempted kidnapping in connection with Friday’s predawn break-in at the Pelosis’ San Francisco home.
Several state charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, elder abuse, and threatening a public officer, were filed separately in San Francisco Superior Court, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins revealed at a news conference. Her arraignment was scheduled on Tuesday, according to her office.
According to authorities, when they arrived to the Pelosi residence, they witnessed DePape and Pelosi fighting over a hammer. As cops ordered both men to drop the tool, DePape grabbed it away and punched Pelosi in the head before officers subdued and arrested him.
In federal court, DePape was charged with one count of assault on a family member of a US official and one count of attempted kidnapping of a US official. Prosecutors claimed the suspect intended to retaliate against the House Speaker for her “exercise of public duties.”
