SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The man accused of breaking into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s home, beating her husband and trying to kidnap her told police he was on a “suicide mission” and had plans to target other politicians of California and feds.  Court on Tuesday.
David DePape was ordered held without bail during his arraignment Tuesday in San Francisco Superior Court.  His public defender pleaded not guilty on his behalf.  It was the first public appearance since the early-morning attack on Friday for DePape, a fringe activist drawn to conspiracy theories.
In the filing, prosecutors described the attack in stark terms as part of their effort to keep Depp behind bars.  Paul Pelosi was knocked unconscious by the hammer attack and woke up in a pool of his own blood, the affidavit said.
DePape’s intent “could not be clearer,” Jenkins wrote in the filing.  “He forced his way into Pelosi’s home with the intent of taking the third in line for the presidency of the United States hostage and seriously harming her.  Blocked by the absence of President Pelosi, the defendant continued his quest and would not stop, culminating in the near-fatal attack on Mr. Pelosi.”
Without questioning, DePape told officers and medics on the scene that he was tired of the “lies coming out of Washington, D.C.,” the affidavit said.  “I didn’t really mean to hurt him, but you know this was a suicide mission.  I will not stay here and do nothing even if it costs me my life.”
DePape reportedly said he had other targets, including a local teacher as well as several prominent state and federal politicians — and members of their families.  The deposition contained no potential targets.
“This case warrants detention,” Jenkins wrote.  “Nothing less.”
Wearing orange jail clothes, DePape spoke only to tell Judge Diane Northway how to pronounce his last name (dih-PAP’).  The 42-year-old defendant, whose shoulder was dislocated during his arrest, is expected back in court on Friday.
After the hearing, DePape’s public defender, Adam Lipson, said he looked forward to providing DePape with a “vigorous legal defense.”
“We will do a full investigation into what happened.  We’re going to look into Mr. DePape’s mental state and I’m not going to talk about that until I have more information,” said Lipson, who noted that being held without bail in state court is moot.  It is noted that DePape has also been placed on federal bond in the case.
He later said he was pleased that Paul Pelosi was improving and urged the audience not to judge what he called a “complicated situation.”
The attack on 82-year-old Paul Pelosi shocked the political world just days before hotly contested midterm elections.  Threats against lawmakers and election officials have been high in this first national election since the January 6, 2021 riot on Capitol Hill, and authorities have issued warnings about the rise of extremism in the US
DePape faces state charges of attempted murder, burglary and elder abuse.  He also faces federal charges, including the attempted kidnapping of a US official.  Those charges are outlined in an affidavit detailing the assault, which was largely captured on police body camera footage after authorities responded to a 911 call from the Pelosis’ Pacific Heights home.
In Washington, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Munger provided a sobering update Tuesday on security protocols for members of Congress.
Manger said that while many improvements have been made since the Capitol attack, including the hiring of nearly 280 officers by the end of this year, “there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
“We believe that the current political climate requires more resources to provide additional layers of physical security for members of Congress,” he said.
Munger said the attack on Pelosi’s husband was “a disturbing reminder of the dangerous threats facing elected officials and public figures during today’s contentious political climate.”
Speaker Pelosi was in Washington at the time and under the protection of her security detail, which does not extend to family members.  She quickly returned to San Francisco, where her husband was treated and underwent surgery for a fractured skull and other injuries.
U.S. Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the attack on Paul Pelosi appeared to be premeditated and called on Americans to “tone down” political rhetoric.
During a press conference after the trial, Jenkins said her office would not release the 911 recording or police body camera footage unless they are presented at trial.
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Mascaro reported from Washington.  Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles and Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed.