‘I do my best not to revisit this’: Emotional Paul Pelosi tells court of the moment he was attacked by a hammer-wielding David DePape in his own home in front of cops – having stalled him by calling 911
An emotional Paul Pelosi has told a San Francisco court that he tried not to think or talk about the events of Oct. 28, 2022, when a hammer-wielding David DePape broke in and attacked him.
Pelosi, 83, described the moment he woke up before dawn on Oct. 28 and said it was the first time he had told the story.
“The door opened and a very, very large man walked in with a hammer in one hand and a pair of ties in the other,” Pelosi told the court, calmly but with emotion in his voice.
“He said, where’s Nancy?
“He burst through the door and woke me up.”
While testifying for about an hour, Pelosi told the court about his efforts to alert 911 to the threat without prompting DePape to attack him. He described negotiating with DePape to go downstairs, where Pelosi hoped he would be rescued by police. And he talked about ‘waking up in a pool of blood’.
David DePape didn’t hold back while watching body camera footage of himself with Paul Pelosi at Pelosi’s San Francisco home
Police body camera footage captured the moment DePape punched Paul Pelosi (right), fracturing his skull and putting him in the hospital for a week
DePape, a former nudist from Canada who became obsessed with conspiracy theories, has pleaded not guilty to burglary and attempted murder.
Pelosi told the court that his wife was in Washington DC on the night of October 27 and that her security detail, who protected her 24 hours a day, was with her.
He said the government had installed security cameras around the property and that the cameras were monitored remotely from Washington DC by the Capitol Police.
There was a motion sensor alarm in the house, but Pelosi said he did not set the alarm when he was home.
“I had gone out for dinner and I think I got home around 10.30pm,” he told the court.
“I tend to watch little television, maybe one of the late shows, and then go to bed.”
DePape is seen on security camera footage outside Pelosi’s mansion at 5 a.m. on October 28.
Earlier on Monday, authorities shared records of DePape’s Amazon purchases in the months before the attacks, which he took with him to the crime scene.
They include a camping backpack, computer cables, body cameras, crayons and two Spooktacular unicorn costumes.
The prosecutor also played a recording of a phone call DePage later placed to a news reporter, which said, “I have an important message for everyone in America.” Don’t mention it.’
DePape’s lawyers argue that he is not guilty of the charges because he did not pursue Nancy Pelosi to prevent her from carrying out her official duties.
Aerial footage showed broken windows and shattered glass at the back door of Pelosi’s home
A screenshot of security footage shows DePape outside the Pelosi House during the early hours of October 28, 2022
Pelosi told the court he was shocked to find the imposing stranger in his room.
“It was a huge shock when I realized the house had been broken into,” Pelosi said.
“When I looked at him and the hammer and the ties, I realized I was in serious danger. And so I tried to remain as calm as possible.
“I said she’s not here.”
Pelosi said DePape told him they would wait for her return, and that he would have to “tie you up” while they waited.
Pelosi continued, “I realized it was a very serious situation.
‘I tried to stay as calm as possible. The first thing I tried to do, after talking back and forth with him, was get up and try to get to the elevator.”
He said DePape “blocked” me when he tried to get to the elevator.
“I went back inside and sat on the bed,” Pelosi said.
“We had a conversation where he said she was the leader of the pack, he had to take her out.”
Pelosi said he got up and went to the bathroom, where his cell phone was charging, and called 911.
“He followed me into the bathroom,” Pelosi said.
“I was standing there on the phone and he was standing there in the bathroom doorway.”
Pelosi said he had to be careful with his words during the 911 call.
“There was a very big man who threatened me,” he told the court.
“He told me he was going to take me with him. I had to tell the 911 person that I was in trouble.
‘I found it very difficult to let them know.
“He said, just tell them it’s a friend.
‘I was on the phone to make it clear to them that someone was in the house. He told me to say it’s a friend. I tried to convey the information without making him angry.”
DePape grabbed the phone from him and told him he was tired — so Pelosi seized the moment.
‘He actually said: I’m tired, I’m going to sleep. So I’m going to tie you up and go to sleep,” Pelosi recalled.
“I said, OK, I understand, if that’s what you want.
“I said, since all your stuff is downstairs, why don’t we go downstairs and you can tie me downstairs so you can go to sleep?”
“We came downstairs and went down two flights of stairs. I held on to the railing and he was right behind me.
“I guess I hope the police come. I knew my only chance was when we got to the bottom and the police would come.”