Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, took the witness stand on Monday to testify against David DePape, the man accused of assaulting him with a hammer in a politically motivated attack that occurred on October 28, 2022. The 83-year-old Pelosi recounted the harrowing incident, describing how DePape forcefully entered their home late at night.

According to Pelosi's testimony, he was asleep when the large assailant entered the room wielding a hammer and asking for Nancy Pelosi's whereabouts. Startled, Pelosi immediately recognized the danger he was in. Despite his attempts to inform DePape that Nancy was in Washington, D.C., the attacker allegedly claimed he would tie Pelosi up and wait for her return.

In a critical moment, Pelosi managed to grab his cell phone and dialed 911 from the bathroom, but DePape soon snatched the phone away. Realizing his best chance of survival was to meet the responding officers downstairs, Pelosi suggested to DePape that they go downstairs and that DePape could tie him up and get some sleep.

Upon the arrival of the police, Pelosi attempted to grab DePape's hand holding the hammer, but the assailant pushed him away and began hitting him. Pelosi testified that his next memory was waking up in a pool of his own blood. As a result of the attack, Pelosi suffered a fractured skull and continues to experience headaches and dizzy spells.

During the trial, DePape's defense team did not cross-examine Pelosi. In previous statements, they acknowledged that their client was the attacker, though they maintain that he did not intend to harm Pelosi or kidnap Nancy Pelosi. Instead, the defense claims that DePape sought to use the couple to reach "Target 1," identified as Bay Area scholar and University of Michigan professor Gayle Rubin, known for her work in feminist theory and queer studies.

Prosecutors further informed the jury that DePape had allegedly planned the attack on the Pelosi residence for months and was found with cash amounting to $9,000, zip ties, rope, and duct tape in a backpack. Footage from police body cameras was shown to the jury, which captured the assault.

DePape, who reportedly embraced far-right conspiracies and the QAnon movement, faces the possibility of a life sentence if convicted. The defense's argument suggests that DePape believed in far-right theories about a corrupt "ruling class." However, the prosecution contends that DePape intended to harm the Pelosis and had targeted them as a means to reach his intended victim.

The trial will continue as the court examines the evidence and hears from additional witnesses, shedding more light on the motivations and intentions behind the attack on Paul Pelosi.