Paul Pelosi attack suspect told police of ‘evil’ in Washington, court hears – National | 24CA News
The man accused of attacking the husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated there was “evil in Washington” and he was trying to hurt Pelosi as a result of she is second in line for the presidency, a San Francisco police investigator testified Wednesday.
The suspect, David DePape, broke into the couple’s San Francisco dwelling Oct. 28, searching for to kidnap the speaker — who was out of city — and as a substitute beat her 82-year-old husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer, authorities stated. The violence despatched shockwaves by way of the political world.
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stephen Murphy dominated that prosecutors had proven sufficient proof throughout a preliminary listening to to maneuver ahead with a trial on the state expenses, together with tried homicide. DePape is due again in state court docket on Dec. 28.
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Lt. Carla Hurley, who interviewed DePape for an hour the day of the assault, testified Wednesday that the defendant informed her of different individuals he wished to focus on, together with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks and Hunter Biden, one among President Joe Biden’s sons. Hurley didn’t say whether or not police had any proof of a plot in opposition to them, and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins stated after the listening to she couldn’t remark additional.
Authorities had beforehand stated DePape informed investigators he had different targets, however a court docket doc said solely that they have been a neighborhood professor in addition to a number of distinguished state and federal politicians and members of their households.
DePape, who appeared in court docket sporting orange jail garments, has pleaded not responsible to federal and state expenses, together with tried homicide, housebreaking and elder abuse. He stays held with out bail.
“There is evil in Washington, what they did went so far beyond the campaign,” DePape informed Hurley, in accordance with a recording of their interview that was performed in court docket.
DePape’s public defender, Adam Lipson, declined to remark after the decide’s ruling, saying, “We’ll be fighting this case in court, not in the hallway.”
In November, Nancy Pelosi stated she would step down as Democrats’ chief within the House after 20 years however stay in workplace. Her official portrait was unveiled Wednesday in Washington because the court docket listening to passed off greater than 2,500 miles (4,023 kilometers) away.
Paul Pelosi, her husband of almost 60 years, joined her for the ceremony on the U.S. Capitol sporting a hat and a glove that coated his accidents from the assault.
Hurley, who was a sergeant on the time of the assault and was just lately promoted to lieutenant, testified that DePape informed Paul Pelosi he wished to speak to Nancy Pelosi as a result of “she is the second in line to the presidency.”
If the U.S. president and the vice chairman turn out to be unable to serve, the speaker of the U.S. House assumes the presidency.
Hurley additionally stated DePape informed her that he was searching for the speaker and informed her husband that he was not a part of the plan.
Still, DePape informed Paul Pelosi, “I can take you out, I can take you out,” Hurley testified.
Hurley stated DePape informed her that after he noticed the lights of a police patrol automobile, he informed Paul Pelosi, “I’m not going to surrender, I am here to fight. If you stop me from going after people, you will take the punishment instead.”
Prosecutors introduced the hammer that was allegedly used within the assault throughout Wednesday’s proceedings, which have been attended by Christine Pelosi, one of many Pelosis’ 5 grownup kids.
The district lawyer’s workplace additionally performed audio of Paul Pelosi’s 911 name to San Francisco police within the courtroom and confirmed video _ lower than a minute lengthy _ of the assault that was captured on physique cameras.
DePape (dih-PAP’) informed police he was on a “suicide mission,” court docket paperwork say. Authorities have stated he was drawn to conspiracy theories.
DePape smashed his manner into the Pelosis’ dwelling, confronted Paul Pelosi, who was sleeping in boxer shorts and a pajama prime, and demanded to know the place “Nancy” was, in accordance with court docket paperwork.
DePape then informed Paul Pelosi that if Nancy Pelosi informed him the “truth,” he would let her go and if she “lied,” he was going to interrupt her kneecaps, ” the felony criticism alleges.
San Francisco Police Officer Kyle Cagney, who was one among two first responding officers testified Wednesday that he noticed each males holding the hammer when the door opened. DePape didn’t obey officers’ instructions to drop the weapon and as a substitute lunged at Paul Pelosi and swung the hammer at him, Cagney stated.
Paul Pelosi was knocked unconscious and wakened in a pool of his personal blood. He later underwent surgical procedure to restore a cranium fracture and severe accidents to his proper arm and palms.
The speaker was in Washington on the time and below the safety of her safety element, which doesn’t lengthen to relations.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
