Paul Pelosi, 82, the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was released from hospital on Thursday, six days after he was hit on the head with a hammer by a man who broke into his home in San Francisco. Francis, California.
Owner of an investment company and real estate business, Paul is recovering from surgery to treat skull fractures and injuries to his hands and right arm.
The businessman was attacked on the 28th. According to the American press, the criminal would have shouted “where is Nancy?” when he broke into the house. The Speaker of the House, however, was not there, but in Washington, on the other side of the country, where the US Congress is based.
The attacker, identified as David DePape, 42, was arrested while still at the Pelosis home. According to court documents filed by prosecutors in the case, he told police he planned to kidnap the lawmaker, interrogate her and break her knees “if she lied.” Prosecutors called the attack politically motivated.
Speaker of the House and number two in the line of succession to the presidency, Nancy has received a series of threats in recent months from radical Trumpists, who even invaded her office in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol – when protesters tried to prevent the confirmation of the US President Joe Biden’s victory over Republican Donald Trump.
Other information released on Thursday indicates that the attacker is a Canadian citizen who was illegally in the US for 14 years. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said it had asked for custody of DePape once the criminal proceedings against him are completed.
DePape, who was held without bail, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, theft, elder abuse, false imprisonment and threat to a public official. He faces 13 years to life in prison if he is convicted.
Meanwhile, federal prosecutors charged DePape with assault and attempted kidnapping punishable by up to 50 years in prison.
Records show that DePape entered the United States as a temporary visitor in March 2008 at the San Ysidro US-Mexico border crossing in San Diego.
According to immigration authorities, eligible Canadian travelers presenting themselves as business or leisure visitors generally do not need a visa and are normally admitted for a stay of up to six months in the United States.
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