Authorities have released video and audio related to the attack on Paul, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in San Francisco.The recordings include police body camera footage, home surveillance video, audio from interviews with alleged assailant David DePape and audio from 911 calls. DePape pleaded not guilty to multiple state and federal charges, including attempted murder.Armed with a sledgehammer and several ties, DePape broke into Pelosis’ home looking for Nancy, prosecutors said. “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?” he asked.
Body camera footage from Paul
When DePape learned that Nancy was still in Washington, D.C., he threatened Paul that he would tie him up until she flew home.Paul Pelosi convinced De Pape to let him go to the bathroom, which allowed him to call 911 in secret.When police arrived, DePape allegedly began attacking Pelosi with a hammer, seriously injuring her.He suffered a fractured skull and injuries to his right arm and hand in the attack and was taken to hospital.He has since been released and continues to make progress in his recovery.Prosecutors also released security video of Capitol police outside the home.
It shows DePape carrying several bags, including a large backpack, in the yard outside Pelosi’s home.He appeared to be drawing a hammer from his pocket.The video then shows him breaking into the house with a hammer, swinging it repeatedly to enter through the glass door on the back porch.
The evidence was released after a coalition of news organizations including NBC News filed a motion against the judge presiding over the case against Paul Pelosi’s alleged attacker, David DePape, arguing that he should Make it public.Prosecutors in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office declined to release the evidence to the media, telling the judge they were concerned the video footage could be publicly manipulated to spread disinformation.
San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Stephen Murphy sided with 13 news organizations who argued that court documents should be made public and that releasing them would help fight disinformation in the case.In Wednesday’s decision, the judge noted that evidence, including Pelosi’s 911 calls, had been presented during a preliminary court hearing last month.
In the state case, DePapp, 42, was charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, burglary, false imprisonment and threatening an officer in the October 28 attack on Pelosi, 82.He also faces two federal charges stemming from the attack — attempted kidnapping and battery with intent to retaliate against federal officials by threatening or injuring a family member. DePape pleaded not guilty to both charges.
