Police release footage of attack on Paul Pelosi

Josie Ensor
·2 min read
The bodycam footage of the attack on Paul Pelosi
The bodycam footage of the attack on Paul Pelosi

A California court has released shocking police bodycam footage showing the moment former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband was violently assaulted with a hammer in his home.

Paul Pelosi had been asleep at the couple’s San Francisco home shortly on October 28 when David DePape broke in and beat him with a hammer after 2am, prosecutors allege.

The video shows two police officers arriving at the Pelosi home, knocking on the door and waiting around 20 seconds before it is answered.

An officer asks, “What's going on man? Drop the hammer.”

Mr Pelosi then attempts to twist the hammer out of DePape's hand.

But he doesn't succeed - the suspect wrestles back control of the weapon and lunges at Mr Pelosi.

The attending officers are still outside the home, allowing DePape to strike 82-year-old Mr Pelosi, who is seen in his pyjamas, over the head.

The two police officers then rush in and tackle DePape, shouting, "Give me your f------ hands” as Mr Pelosi lies prone on the floor.

Mr Pelosi later underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands.

The release comes following Judge Stephen Murphy's order on Wednesday which ruled that there was no legal reason to keep the footage private, against prosecutors wishes.

Nancy and Paul Pelosi - Kevin Wolf
Nancy and Paul Pelosi - Kevin Wolf

News organisations argued releasing the footage was in the public interest and would enable them to debunk unsubstantiated claims spread by rightwing conspiracy theorists about the attack.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, California Democrat Mrs Pelosi said that she would find it “very difficult' to watch the footage of the attack”. “I mean, it would be a very hard thing to see an assault on my husband’s life.”

Lawyers for DePape argued against the public release of the audio and footage, writing it would “irreparably damage” his right to a fair trial. DePape has pleaded not guilty to a litany of state and federal crimes related to the attack, including assault and attempted murder.

According to police reports, DePape was looking for Mrs Pelosi, 82, who has been a lightning rod for rightwing hate, shouting “where’s Nancy?”

Mrs Pelosi, who was in DC at the time of the incident, stepped down from the House Speaker position, shortly after.

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