The man who attacked the husband of former US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

David DePape was convicted of assault and attempted kidnapping of a federal official in November after a week-long trial in San Francisco.

The attack left Paul Pelosi, now 84, in hospital for six days with a fractured skull and other injuries.

Prosecutors, however, argued that DePape had a “plan of violence”, noting that he told investigators he had a “target list” and plan to break Mrs Pelosi’s kneecaps if she did not reveal “the truth”. At the time of his arrest, DePape had zip ties and duct tape.

In addition to the federal charges, DePape is facing separate state charges stemming from the attack. They include burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and attempted murder.

He faces life imprisonment if convicted of those charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

    • tal@lemmy.today
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      6 months ago

      DePape, according to prosecutors, was driven by conspiracy theories and had plans to tie the former speaker up and break her kneecaps if she lied to him.

      How was an inflatable unicorn costume involved?

      In prior testimony, DePape told the jury he planned to wear an inflatable unicorn costume and upload his interrogation of Speaker Pelosi online.

      Well, that sounds kind of grotesque.

      Kind of stands out to me more than the Canadian bit.

    • PseudorandomNoise@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      The judge at Friday’s sentencing told the court that once he completes his prison sentence, DePape will be deported back to Canada by ICE immigration officials.

      Good, I was gonna ask if were booting him out because we should.