US authorities release bodycam footage of attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband

By Cindi Cook

MICHIGAN, United States (AA) - Bodycam footage of the attack on the husband of former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was released Friday at the behest of news organizations.

Pelosi was attacked Oct. 28 when the suspect, David DePape, broke into the couple’s home in the state of California and assaulted the 82-year-old with a hammer.

Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, DC at the time. The former speaker chose not to seek another leadership position after serving decades in the House.

According to NBC News, who first obtained the bodycam video of the assault, police approached and then opened the door to the home in San Francisco. Pelosi can be seen standing next to DePape, both holding a hammer in their hands.

Police urged DePape, 42, to release the hammer, saying: “Drop the hammer.” When DePape refused, he tackled Pelosi, grabbing the hammer from his hand and striking him with it. The officers immediately wrestled the suspect to the ground.

Pelosi suffered a fractured skull and injuries to his arms and hands as a result of the attack.

Prior to the assault, Capitol Police released footage of DePape in the yard outside the home carrying large bags and pulling out a hammer. He used the hammer to repeatedly shatter a glass door in the rear of the home, enabling him to enter.

The release of the footage was done at the request of a coalition of 13 news organizations that made a motion to the judge presiding over the case, arguing that the footage should be available to the public.

Up until this time, prosecutors from the San Francisco District Attorney’s office refused to release the evidence to the media, saying it could have been manipulated, thus spreading false information.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stephen Murphy sided with the news organizations, saying the release could combat disinformation.

The charges against DePape include attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, false imprisonment and threatening a public official.

He also faces two federal charges of attempted kidnapping and assault with intent to retaliate against a federal official by threatening or injuring a family member. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.