David DePape: Outrage as attempted murder charges against Paul Pelosi attacker are dismissed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: A judge in San Francisco has granted a request from defense lawyers to dismiss some of the most serious state charges against David DePape, 44, the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif) husband in their home in 2022. 

Judge Harry M Dorfman of the San Francisco County Superior Court dismissed the charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and elder abuse, according to reports.

David DePape still faces four counts in the upcoming trial 

The jury will return at 10 am on June 14 to resume the trial. DePape could still face up to life in prison on the remaining charges.

In October 2022, DePape broke into the California home of Nancy Pelosi, who was the Speaker of the House at the time, and violently attacked her husband Paul Pelosi with a hammer.

DePape, 44, still faces four counts in the upcoming trial. Both the prosecution and defense requested a stay of further trial proceedings on Friday, June 7, to allow the appeals court to review the rulings, The Hill reported. 

David DePape called  Nancy Pelosi who he wanted to kidnap but she was asleep 

 DePape repeatedly called out for the lawmaker but found her husband asleep in their bedroom in October 2022.

During the attack, Paul Pelosi was hit in the head multiple times, barely surviving the assault.

DePape had planned on kidnapping the then-Speaker, but she was in Washington, DC.

During his testimony, DePape offered an emotional apology after hearing about the extent of Paul Pelosi’s injuries.

“He was never my target, and I’m sorry that he got hurt,” DePape said.

He informed the court at the time that his political views changed after reading YouTube comments about former President Trump, and he visited the Pelosi residence to talk about the purported Russian involvement in the 2016 election.

David DePape's previous convictions 

Last November, DePape was convicted of two charges in a distinct federal trial.

The Department of Justice had sought a lengthier sentence; however, DePape received a 20-year prison term for attempted kidnapping and a 30-year term for attempted murder, both to run concurrently.

The case was briefly reopened when it was discovered that the judge did not allow DePape to speak at the sentencing hearing.

Despite offering another apology, DePape received a 30-year sentence again last month.

He attributed the act of violence to his poor mental state at the time and mentioned that he has since reconnected with his family and improved his mental health, according to the publication. 

Internet reacts as David DePape's murder and other serious charges are dismissed 

The decision to dismiss DePape's charges did not go down well on social media. One user on X wrote, "If you beat an elderly man with a hammer in his own home then you should be put to death."

"I don't care if it's an R or a D beside your name. The law is the law and justice is justice," the user added.

"This guy needs to be imprisoned for a long time. Attacking someone with a hammer is no way to resolve a lovers’ quarrel," another user commented.

 "But Pelosi is special. Don’t throw them out," another user posted about charges getting dismissed. One simply expressed "Wow."

"So he was Paul’s lover?" speculated one among several users on social media. One user made a wild claim saying, "Donald Trump along with RepubliCON billionaires hired David DePape to take out Nancy and Paul Pelosi. Arrest Trump!." 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.