In a federal trial on Monday, Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, recounted the terrifying events of the brutal hammer attack that took place at their San Francisco mansion last year. The testimony came as David DePape faced charges of assaulting Pelosi and plotting to kidnap Nancy Pelosi.

On October 28, 2022, Pelosi described the moment he woke up to find an intruder in his bedroom. DePape repeatedly asked for Nancy's whereabouts, but Pelosi informed him that she was in Washington DC. DePape allegedly stated that he considered Nancy as the "leader of the pack" and intended to wait for her. Pelosi managed to grab his cellphone from the bathroom and called 911 for help.

According to Pelosi's testimony, their home has surveillance cameras and an alarm system, but on the night of the attack, he had not set the alarm as he usually did when leaving the house. When the police arrived, Pelosi believed he had escaped the worst, but the situation turned violent when DePape refused to drop the hammer upon police instruction and instead attacked Pelosi by pushing and hitting him on the head. Pelosi later woke up in a pool of blood, with his right arm and hands also injured.

Christine Pelosi, Paul's daughter, attentively observed her father's testimony from the back of the courtroom, witnessing the account of the violent assault.

DePape is pleading not guilty to charges of attempted kidnapping of a federal official, as well as assault on the immediate family member of a federal official with intent to retaliate against the official for the performance of their duties.

The attack, occurring just days before the midterm elections, left Pelosi with severe injuries, including a fractured skull, to his right arm and hands. He underwent surgery following the assault and testified on Monday that he is on the path to full recovery and is focusing on moving forward from the incident.

"I have not discussed this incident with anybody. And I have encouraged my family not to either," Pelosi shared during his testimony while expressing his efforts to put the ordeal behind him.

The trial advanced with the testimony of law enforcement officials, including two FBI agents who presented evidence such as surveillance videos of DePape's movements leading up to the attack and the attack itself. U.S. Capitol police officers involved in protecting the Pelosi family also provided testimony.

Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting that DePape planned the attack months in advance, including online research on the Pelosi family and other individuals. The defense, while not disputing the attack, plans to argue that DePape believed he was taking action against government corruption and the abuse of children by politicians and actors.

If found guilty, DePape could face life imprisonment. In addition to federal charges, DePape has also pleaded not guilty to various charges in state court, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and residential burglary.

The trial continues, with DePape's account expected to play a pivotal role in the defense's case.