The man accused of breaking into the home of Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and hitting her husband with a hammer told police he was on a “suicide mission” and plans to target more politicians, according to court documents filed. Tuesday.
Prosecutors’ move to detain 42-year-old David Wayne DePape shed new light on the alleged intentions of the defendant, who pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of 82-year-old Paul Pelosi and other charges.
DePape was also sentenced to remain in prison without the possibility of bail.
It’s the first time DePape has appeared in court with his right arm in a sling since Friday’s attack, according to the court-appointed public defender, the result of a dislocated shoulder he suffered when he was arrested.
Attorney Adam Lipson told reporters after the hearing that DePape’s legal team would review a number of issues that could affect his defence.
He highlighted widespread media attention to the idea, suggested by experts on extremism, that exposure to online and empowered hate speech by public figures can encourage mentally unstable individuals to commit acts of political violence.
*Report by Paresh Dave in San Francisco; additional writing and reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles
source: Noticias
