DePape’s attorneys are now objecting to the decision to reopen his sentencing hearing, arguing that it violates his rights. They are also calling for the case to be reassigned to a different judge due to concerns about the fairness of the process. The attorneys claim that the court’s rushed schedule and ongoing state trial will not allow them enough time to adequately prepare for any resentencing hearing. Despite filing a notice of appeal, the court scheduled the reopened hearing for May 28 without giving Mr. DePape enough time to respond, leading to the latest objections and calls for a new judge to be assigned.
In November 2023, a federal jury found Mr. DePape guilty of attempting to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and assaulting her husband. Prosecutors argued that his crimes were calculated to influence government conduct, even though he was not convicted of terrorism. They sought a terrorism enhancement to his sentencing, which would result in a 40-year prison term. However, the judge opted for some leniency and sentenced Mr. DePape to 30 years in prison. DePape was acknowledged for the 18 months he has already spent in custody.
However, during the sentencing hearing on May 17, Mr. DePape was not given the opportunity to speak or present information that could potentially reduce his sentence, which is required by federal law. Judge Corley admitted that it was the court’s responsibility to ask Mr. DePape if he wanted to speak, and the failure to do so was a “clear error.”
In his testimony, Mr. DePape admitted to breaking into Mr. Pelosi’s residence on October 28, 2022, and attacking him with a hammer. He confessed that his plan was to take the speaker hostage and “break her kneecaps” if she lied to him. Mr. DePape told police officers after his arrest that if Ms. Pelosi appeared in Congress in a wheelchair as a result of his actions, it would serve as a warning to other members about the consequences of their actions. He described Ms. Pelosi as the “leader of the pack of [expletive] liars.”
Mr. DePape also revealed that he planned to target other individuals after Ms. Pelosi, including Hunter Biden, George Soros, Tom Hanks, and Gavin Newsom.
Caden Pearson and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
Source link
