CNN
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The man accused of attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband entered a second plea of not guilty on Wednesday and waived his right to a speedy trial.
David DePape – who is charged with a litany of crimes including assault and attempted murder – pleaded in San Francisco Superior Court.
Appearing before Judge Teresa Caffese, DePape said only one word in court, answering “yes,” when asked if he was waiving his right to a speedy trial. He is due back in San Francisco Superior Court in February when a trial date is expected to be set.
A second felony indictment is customary in California following a preliminary hearing in which a defendant is required to answer to all charges. DePape had pleaded not guilty in a first appearance in early November shortly after his arrest.
DePape, who also pleaded not guilty to a list of federal charges, had broken into the Pelosis home in October and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, according to court documents.
He told federal investigators he was looking for Nancy Pelosi, and he said he planned to kidnap the Speaker of the House and break her “kneecaps” if she lied, according to the affidavit. CNN previously reported that DePape yelled, “Where’s Nancy?” as he entered the house.
DePape told officers and medics at the scene that he had had enough of the “level of lies” coming from Washington, DC, and “came here to have a little chat with his wife,” according to a court filing. “I didn’t really mean to hurt him, but you know it was a suicide mission.” I’m not going to sit here idly, even if it costs me my life. »
After the attack, Paul Pelosi underwent surgery “to repair a fractured skull and serious injuries to his right arm and hands,” Drew Hammill, a spokesman for the speaker, said in a statement at the time.
DePape also planned to target Hunter, the son of President Joe Biden, California Governor Gavin Newsom and actor Tom Hanks, a San Francisco Police Department official testified this month.
The District Attorney’s Office and Public Defender Adam Lipson declined to comment after Wednesday’s quick procedural hearing. One of the Pelosis daughters, Christine Pelosi, was present at the hearing.
This story has been updated with additional information.
