In a San Francisco courtroom on November 14, 2023, David DePape broke down in tears on the witness stand while being questioned by Assistant Federal Public Defender Angela Chuang. The incident occurred during DePape's federal trial for assaulting Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with a hammer and attempting to kidnap her.

During a recent court hearing, DePape, who had invaded the Pelosis' San Francisco home in an extremism-fueled plot in late 2022, issued an apology to Paul Pelosi. However, his approximately 90-second statement fell short of expressing remorse for his broader plan to target and capture various public figures and political leaders.

DePape stated, "I should have left the house when I learned Nancy Pelosi wasn't there." While his apology was directed at Paul Pelosi, it did not address his intentions to harm other individuals on his list, including actor Tom Hanks, Rep. Adam Schiff, former Vice President Mike Pence, and Hunter Biden, the president's son.

The sentencing hearing took an unexpected turn when U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley ordered a redo of DePape's sentence. This decision was made after it was discovered that the court had not asked DePape if he wanted to make a statement before the initial sentencing. Following DePape's statement, Judge Corley reaffirmed the original sentence of 30 years in federal prison.

DePape had traveled overnight on public transportation from the East Bay to the Pelosis' home in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood. Breaking into the residence by shattering a sliding glass door, DePape confronted Paul Pelosi, demanding to know the whereabouts of Nancy Pelosi. Paul Pelosi managed to call 911, and when officers arrived, DePape attacked Paul with a hammer before being restrained.

During the trial, DePape's defense argued that his actions were influenced by undiagnosed mental illness and a troubled relationship with the mother of his children. They also highlighted his increasing consumption of conspiracy theories through online videos. According to his defense, DePape became obsessed with exposing a perceived cabal of politicians involved in child abuse and corruption.

In the reopened sentencing hearing, Judge Corley apologized to DePape for neglecting to ask him to make a statement during the initial sentencing in May. However, she denied a defense motion to assign the case to another judge. Emphasizing the gravity of DePape's crimes, Judge Corley stated, "You can't break into the speaker of the House's home. It's hard to overstate the seriousness of that and the damage it has caused."

The sentencing redo in federal court has affected scheduling for DePape's upcoming second trial on state-level charges, including attempted murder and aggravated kidnapping, which carry a potential life sentence without parole. Initially set to begin on Tuesday, the opening statements for the state trial have been postponed.

In the meantime, a San Francisco Superior Court judge heard arguments from DePape's local public defenders regarding the application of California-specific protections against double jeopardy. They requested the dismissal of several charges following DePape's federal conviction. The judge reserved his ruling, waiting for local prosecutors to present their case.