A man accused of attacking the husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there was “evil in Washington” and pointed to other targets including actor Tom Hanks, a court heard.
David DePape is accused of breaking into Pelosis’ San Francisco home on October 28 and attempting to kidnap speaker – Who’s not there.
Instead, he beat her husband, Paul Pelosi, 82, with a hammer, and the violence sent shockwaves through the political spectrum.
Nancy and Paul Pelosi in 2018
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stephen Murphy ruled that prosecutors presented enough evidence in Wednesday’s preliminary hearing to continue the trial on state charges, including attempted murder.
Lieutenant Kara Hurley, who interviewed DePap for an hour on the day of the attack, testified that the defendant told her he wanted to target other people, including Oscar winner Hanks, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the President Joe Biden’s son Hunter.
The officer did not say whether police had any evidence that a plot was planned against them.
Police Sergeant Kyle Cagney said he saw both De Pape and Mr Pelosi holding hammers when the door opened.
He told the court that instead of following the officer’s order to lower his weapon, DePape rushed at Mr Pelosi and swung the hammer at him.
Mr Pelosi was knocked unconscious, then woke up in a pool of his own blood.
He later underwent surgery to repair a fractured skull and a serious injury to his right arm and hand.
Lt. Hurley said DePape told her he had been looking for Mrs. Pelosi and told her husband he was not in the plans.
Paul Pelosi attacked at his San Francisco home in October
She added that DePape still told Mr Pelosi: “I can take you out, I can take you out.”
Lieutenant Hurley said De Pape told her that after he saw the lights of a police car, he told Mr Pelosi: “I’m not going to surrender, I’m here to fight. If you stop me from going after people, You will take action instead of punishment.”
Prosecutors showed the hammer allegedly used in the courtroom attack during Wednesday’s lawsuit, which was attended by one of Pelosi’s five adult children, Christina Pelosi.
The district attorney’s office played audio in court of Mr. Pelosi’s 911 call to San Francisco police.
They also showed less than a minute of video footage from the body camera that captured the attack. Although information is limited, 911 dispatchers are widely believed to have dispatched two officers to the couple’s home.
DePape, who wore an orange jumpsuit at Wednesday’s hearing, pleaded not guilty to federal and state charges, including attempted murder, burglary and elder abuse.
He remains in custody without bail. He will return to court on December 28.
Mrs. Pelosi was in Washington when her husband was attacked and was protected by her security staff, which did not include family members.
Last month, she said she would No longer running for Democratic leader After nearly two decades in the House of Representatives.