A man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for kidnapping Nancy Pelosi’s husband and other crimes. David DePape, 44, was convicted of aggravated kidnapping, burglary, false imprisonment, threatening a family member of a public official, and dissuading a witness in San Francisco.
DePape had already been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for the same attack on Paul Pelosi, but now faces life in California prison after this state trial. The jury found him guilty based on evidence, rejecting claims of double jeopardy.
His lawyer plans to appeal, arguing the kidnapping charge was added vindictively after an attempted murder charge was dismissed. The judge dismissed some state charges, agreeing they overlapped with the federal case.
DePape admitted planning to confront and potentially harm Nancy Pelosi, aiming to record her confessing to what he believed were crimes. His defense argued there was no intent to ransom Paul Pelosi, and that DePape was influenced by conspiracy theories and propaganda.
During the trial, there was controversy when DePape’s former partner, Gypsy Taub, distributed materials promoting conspiracy theories near the courthouse. Taub, who has two sons with DePape, was banned from the courthouse for jury tampering.
DePape’s family wrote to the judge, describing Taub as a negative influence who isolated him from his family and led him into extreme beliefs.