Outrage as Paul Pelosi attacker David DePape resentenced to 30 years after judge's 'clear error' in first hearing

David DePape told the court that he felt "horribly for hurting" Paul Pelosi
PUBLISHED MAY 29, 2024
David Depape (L) attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi in their house in October 2022 (Inside Edition/YouTube, Getty Images)
David Depape (L) attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi in their house in October 2022 (Inside Edition/YouTube, Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: David DePape, the man convicted of attacking Paul Pelosi, husband to former House Speaker and Representative Nancy Pelosi, with a hammer, was resentenced to 30 years in prison on May 28, after a federal judge told him she was “truly sorry” for not allowing him to speak during his initial sentencing.

Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, who presided over DePape's case, admitted in a filing that it was a “clear error” not to allow the suspect to speak during his original sentencing on May 17. "I’m truly sorry for my mistake," Corley stated in court before DePape, 44, tearfully read a prepared statement expressing his regret. "I feel horribly for hurting Mr Pelosi," DePape told the court.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: Paul Pelosi and Nancy Pelosi attend the 44th Kennedy Center Honors at
David DePape says he feels 'horrible' for hurting Paul Pelosi and 'should have gone home when [he] found out Nancy Pelosi wasn’t there' (Getty Images)

"I should have gone home when I found out Nancy Pelosi wasn’t there" on the night of the attack at the couple’s San Francisco home in October 2022. Reflecting on his actions, he added, "looking back, I can see I was not doing well," the New York Post reports. DePape was then resentenced to 30 years in jail term.

David DePape admits to bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with hammer

During the trial, DePape admitted to breaking into the Pelosi home on October 28, 2022, intending to hold the then-Speaker hostage and “break her kneecaps” if she lied to him. He also confessed to bludgeoning Pelosi with a hammer after police arrived, expressing frustration as his plan to combat what he viewed as government corruption unraveled.



 

David DePape had a lengthy criminal history

DePape was convicted last year for attempting to kidnap a federal official and assaulting an immediate family member of that official. Prosecutors had asked Corley for a 40-year prison term. Following the original sentencing, the Pelosi family released a statement praising Pelosi's bravery. “The Pelosi family couldn’t be prouder of their Pop and his tremendous courage in saving his own life on the night of the attack and in testifying in this case.

DP
David DePape is shown in Berkeley, California, on Dec. 13, 2013 (Inside Edition/YouTube)

"Speaker Pelosi and her family are immensely grateful to all who have sent love and prayers over the last eighteen months, as Mr Pelosi continues his recovery,” the statement read. Further, in a written victim impact statement, Pelosi shared that his life has been “irrevocably changed” since the attack.

Internet speaks out against David DePape sentencing in Paul Pelosi hammer attack

The internet thinks that DePape's sentencing was "ridiculous" and called it one of the stiffest sentence handed down to a "non-murderer."

A user tweeted, "That has to be the stiffest sentence handed down to a non-murderer in California in decades."

Another added, "Im surprised he didnt Epsteined himself." "Ohhh are we enforcing the law in California again? Or is it only when the elite are the victims?" questioned a user.

"they don't want him talking to anyone until mr. p is long gone," read a tweet. "Two tier justice system," commented a user. "That sentence is ridiculous. Guess it pays to be a rich democrat in a democrat controlled city," remarked a user.



 



 



 



 



 



 

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.

MORE STORIES

The Post’s editorial board laid out its analysis in an op-ed published ahead of Tuesday’s election
15 hours ago
Trump nearly walked off the set when Norah O’Donnell brought up his pardon of Changpeng Zhao, the crypto tycoon behind Binance
16 hours ago
A civil war appears to be raging within MAGA, with so-called '28ers' believing the Constitution can be bent to squeeze in another Trump presidency
1 day ago
After likening Trump’s immigration tactics to Nazi Germany, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker denied ever comparing him to Adolf Hitler
7 days ago
Melania Trump reportedly distanced herself from President Donald Trump’s East Wing renovation, privately questioning the historic demolition, WSJ reports
7 days ago
Donald Trump expressed willingness to work with Democrats while noting that the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, has 'been terrible'
Oct 26, 2025
Trump also brought up an incident from 30 years back when Mikie Sherrill was not allowed to participate in her graduation ceremony
Oct 25, 2025
Bernie Sanders said, 'So long as we have nation-states, you’ve got to have borders. If you don’t have any borders, then you don’t have a nation'
Oct 25, 2025
John Fetterman told Sean Hannity he’s fed up with his party painting Republicans, and especially Trump, as racists, Nazis, or fascists
Oct 23, 2025
George Santos says Zohran Mamdani's takeover of City Hall would turn New York City into a 'very dangerous place'
Oct 22, 2025