Bodycamera shots for Brutal attack on Representative Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was released, and the congresswoman shared her thoughts on the disturbing video. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill on Friday, Pelosi said she had “no intention” of seeing her husband assaulted.
Paul Pelosi, 82, was attacked at the couple’s San Francisco home in October. A man, later identified as David Diabebe, using a sledgehammer, broke into the house and Pelosi called the police. The congresswoman was in Washington, D.C., at the time.
When the police arrived, their body cameras captured the assault on Paul Pelosi. On Friday, the Bodycam footage was released, after San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stephen M. Murphy ruled there was no reason to keep it secret.
In the video, the police knock on the front door, which Pelosi answers with Debaby standing next to him. They both grabbed the gavel, and after talking to the police for a few seconds, DePape swung it at Pelosi. The police officers accuse DePape and arrest him.
In addition to the camera footage, audio from Pelosi’s 911 call, security footage from cameras set up outside the House by Capitol Police and an interview with DePape conducted by a police officer, were released Friday.
She told reporters Friday, apparently referring to the video of the interview, that the former House speaker did not hear the 911 call, or the “confession.” “I did not see the break-in and have absolutely no intention of seeing the fatal attack on my husband’s life,” she said.
Representative Nancy Pelosi said her husband is “making progress, but it’s going to take longer.” Paul Pelosi’s injuries included a fractured skull, which required surgery, and injuries to his arms and hands.
She told reporters she would not speak more about the case, except to thank people for their support and to inform them of her husband’s progress.
Security footage taken outside the home shows the suspect looking in from the yard, wearing gloves and using a hammer to smash a window. Then he climbs through the window.
DePape allegedly intended to kidnap the longtime Democratic elected official and told officers he wanted to “break her knees,” according to authorities.
Authorities also found zip ties in Pelosi’s bedroom and hallway near the home’s front door, and “a roll of tape, white rope, a hammer, a pair of rubber and cloth gloves, and a note” in the suspect’s backpack.
DePape has pleaded not guilty to all six charges he faces.
Prosecutors played photos from the attack In a public hearing last month during a preliminary hearing, and after several news agencies sought the public release of the material presented in court, Murphy An order to release the material earlier this week.
Adam Lipson, the deputy San Francisco public defender who is representing DePape, said he believes it was a “grave mistake” to release the video and other evidence in the case.
Caitlin O’Kane
