Left-wing activist David DePape failed to get his 30-year federal sentence reduced after apologizing for attacking Paul Pelosi during a resentencing hearing.
DePape was sentenced a second time after he was denied a right to speak to the court during his first sentencing hearing.
During the first hearing on May 17, DePape, 44, did not receive an opportunity to speak to the court, which is required by law.
Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley apologized for the error at a resentencing hearing Tuesday.
“I will carefully consider anything you say this morning in determining a sentence that is appropriate,” Judge Corley said.
DePape had previously apologized during the brief trial, where he confessed to targeting Pelosi’s wife, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
He said he wanted to take Pelosi hostage and “break her kneecaps” if she lied.
“He was never my target and I’m sorry that he got hurt,” DePape said of Paul Pelosi.
“I reacted because my plan was basically ruined.”
Police bodycam footage captured the moments before DePape struck Paul Pelosi in the head with a hammer.
Pelosi underwent surgery to treat a skull fracture.
DePape apologized again at the resentencing on Tuesday.
“I’m sorry for what I did, especially what I did to Paul Pelosi,” he said.
“I should have just left the house when I realized Nancy Pelosi wasn’t home.”
However, despite DePape’s contrition and the error during the first hearing, the judge said she would leave the stiff sentence in place to safeguard America’s institutions.
“The message has to be out there that it’s absolutely unacceptable to our democracy,” she said.
DePape, who was described as “very Left” by those who knew him, was found guilty in November of assaulting the immediate family member of a federal official and attempted kidnapping of a federal official.
He was sentenced on May 17 to concurrent 30-year and 20-year sentences.
Prosecutors wanted 40 years in prison, however.
Defense lawyers asked for a 14-year sentence, citing DePape’s mental health issues and lack of criminal history.
DePape’s defense lawyer Angela Chuang noted that his sentence is longer than any handed down in the January 6 cases.
“The five most serious sentences for people who were convicted of seditious conspiracy, of literally conspiring to overthrow the government, range from 15 to 22 years,” Chuang said.
The judge maintained that breaking into the home of an elected official was a more serious offense.
The case is far from over for DePape, however, and he still faces state charges relating to the attack.
Opening arguments in DePape’s state trial began on Wednesday.
He is facing up to life in prison on charges of attempted murder and other charges.
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