US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and husband Paul at the 45th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington on December 4. AFP
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and husband Paul at the 45th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington on December 4. AFP
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and husband Paul at the 45th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington on December 4. AFP
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and husband Paul at the 45th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington on December 4. AFP

Accused Pelosi attacker pleads not guilty in California court


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The Canadian man accused of breaking into the San Francisco home of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and pounding her husband with a hammer pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to state criminal charges.

David DePape is charged with attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary, elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and threatening a family member of a public official.

Mr DePape denied all of the charges and waived his right to a quick trial, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said.

His next court date is scheduled for February 23, 2023.

A San Francisco police officer testified earlier in December that he saw the October attack.

Prosecutors say the suspect, demanding to see Ms Pelosi, a Democrat, broke into her home and attacked her husband.

The assault stoked fears about political violence in the US in the run-up to November's midterm elections.

David DePape appears at the US District Court in San Francisco, California, on November 15. Reuters
David DePape appears at the US District Court in San Francisco, California, on November 15. Reuters

Lt Carla Hurley, who interviewed Mr DePape for an hour on the day of the attack, said the defendant told her of other people he wanted to go after, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks and Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden.

Mr DePape, a long-time Bay Area resident, had been active on social media, railing against the government and technology companies, and spreading far-right conspiracy theories.

“There is evil in Washington. What they did went so far beyond the campaign,” Mr DePape told Lt Hurley, according to a recording of their interview heard in court.

Police say Mr DePape broke into the Pelosi home early on October 28, aiming to take the House Speaker hostage, but she was in Washington at the time.

Mr DePape allegedly attacked her husband instead after a verbal confrontation.

After the attack, Paul Pelosi was in intensive care and had surgery for a skull fracture and injuries to his right arm and hands. He was released from hospital in early November.

Paul Pelosi attack highlights growing risk of US political violence - in pictures

Reuters contributed to this report

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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Seek professional advice from a legal expert

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You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

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(Colin Ingram 84 not out, Cameron Delport 36, William Somerville 2-28)
bt Auckland Aces 170 for 5 in 20 overs
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War 2

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Director: Shahad Ameen

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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
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'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars

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Torque: 244Nm

Price: Dh122,900 

Updated: December 29, 2022, 12:25 PM`