David DePape testifies in his own defense in Paul Pelosi attack trial

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

The man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi last year told a California jury on Tuesday that his political beliefs ultimately inspired him to seek out the San Francisco home of then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi, and that he only hit her husband with a hammer because his larger plan was at risk.

Testifying in federal court in his own defense, David DePape appeared somewhat nervous and became emotional at times as he shared examples of conspiracy theories he felt were true, providing insight into his motivations before the attack on Paul Pelosi in the early hours of October 28, 2022. DePape, who described his political leanings Tuesday as “right of center,” told the jury he had believed the media was distorting or lying about former President Donald Trump and that “everything was a lie coming from the press.”

DePape, 42, said he was focused on Nancy Pelosi and that her husband, Paul, was not on his list of targets. He was “surprised and confused,” he said, when he found the congresswoman was not home at the time.

“I’m telling him, I have other targets, but if you stop me, I’ll go through you,” DePape said, recounting a conversation with Paul Pelosi.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/politics/david-depape-federal-trial-paul-pelosi/index.html

[pandr32]

1. He signaled intent.

He let Mr. Pelosi know he was looking for his wife, Nancy, and told him"...but if you stop me, I'll go through you."
Well, alrighty then.

[Srkdqltr]

2. The why doesn't matter.

He broke in intending to injure a person. He did just that. He needs to go to jail.

[Walleye]

4. Yeah the zip ties and rope don't look too good for him either

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. That's just plain pathetic. And really dangerous.

These people have become so twisted. He thinks his reasoning makes perfect sense.

[maxsolomon]

5. He's pretty clearly unhinged.

I'd bet his Public Defender advised him NOT to testify.

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. They all seem unhinged. The Republican party has become

a safe place for the unhinged. They fit right in. Probably are making friends for the first time in their depraved lives.
.

[maxsolomon]

9. DePape is more unhinged than most - he's mentally ill.

He was on the street prior to this attack, living under a tree. Should have been sent back to Canada long ago.

[Historic NY]

7. And he's not even a US citizen

Trump ruins everyone

[Basic LA]

8. Criminally insane

Almost too crazy to be a Fox host.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

10. Oh, well...

...it was just the conspiracy theories he thought were true that forced him to commit crimes. Could happen to anyone.

His defense attorney never saw an episode of Perry Mason? You never put your client on the stand! That's, like, defense attorneying 101.

[moniss]

11. So apparently his defense counsel thought it was a good idea

to use the strategy of "I only hit an old man with a hammer and could have killed him because he was in the way of my bigger plan. So if he hadn't "gotten in the way" this never would have happened. So it's not really my fault because he made me do it." Some brilliant thinking there. Did they get this from the back of a cereal box or maybe an old movie serial?

[PlutosHeart]

12. Their convoluted thinking

of attorneys, crooks and liars is frightening actually. What has gone wrong with these people?

[Demobrat]

17. The defense attorney can't really stop him if he insists,

as far as I know.

[moniss]

18. I was under the impression

that this came out under direct examination by the defense when putting on their case. If he blurted this out it would be one thing but if this was laid out purposely by a series of questions from his attorney then it is the attorney being part of it also since you cannot, as an officer of the court, put forth something you don't believe is true.

[Demobrat]

13. Hey, I didn't go there to attack an old man with a hammer.

I went there to attack an old woman with a hammer. But she wasn’t there so I got frustrated and bashed whoever was available. Not my fault! If she had been home this never would have happened.

This guy is not going to do well in prison. He needs to be in a mental hospital.

[TomSlick]

14. Unless his attorneys are trying to sell an insanity defense, this was an admission.

While the guy may be nuts, there is no reason to believe he was insane. Holding bizarre political ideas is not an inability to understand what the law requires and to conform behavior to the legal requirements.

The jury deliberation should be quick. It should take longer to elect a foreperson than to decide the case.

[sop]

20. They probably put the guy on the stand to convince the jury he's insane.

[mountain grammy]

15. Poor sick bastard..

wonder how many more out there are just like him only better armed. We have one in CO going on trial now.

[Demobrat]

16. Yeah it's pretty sad.

This man did a terrible thing and he has to pay, but still I shudder at the thought of what will happen to him in prison. We need decent, effective mental health care and hospitals in this country.

[SouthernDem4ever]

19. Typical magat thinking

Show him to a jail cell.