In a shocking turn of events, the trial for David DePape, the man accused of breaking into former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home, bludgeoning her husband with a hammer, and attempting to kidnap her, is set to begin today in federal court. The incident, which occurred on October 28, 2022, just days before last year's midterm elections, sent shockwaves through the political world and brought attention to the dangers of conspiracy theories and misinformation that spread online.

According to prosecutors, DePape assaulted Paul Pelosi, who was then 82 years old, in the early hours of the morning. DePape posted numerous rants on a blog and an online forum, espousing beliefs in aliens, communists, religious minorities, and global elites. He also questioned the results of the 2020 election and echoed the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory. These websites were taken down shortly after his arrest.

DePape, a Canadian citizen who moved to the United States more than 20 years ago, had been struggling with drug abuse and mental illness in recent years, according to his partner, Gypsy Taub. Taub, a well-known Berkeley pro-nudity activist, revealed that DePape had been homeless before the incident occurred.

On the night of the attack, DePape allegedly smashed his shoulder through a glass panel on a door at the Pelosis' Pacific Heights mansion. He confronted a sleeping Paul Pelosi, demanding to know the whereabouts of Nancy Pelosi. However, Nancy was in Washington at the time and under the protection of her security detail, which did not extend to family members.

Paul Pelosi managed to call 911, and two San Francisco Police officers arrived on the scene. They witnessed DePape strike Paul Pelosi in the head with a hammer, rendering him unconscious. Paul later underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and injuries to his right arm and hands. The assault was captured on the officers' body cameras, and District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley ruled that the jury will be allowed to see the footage, despite objections from DePape's defense team.

After his arrest, DePape allegedly told a San Francisco detective that he intended to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage. He claimed that if she told him the truth, he would release her, but if she lied, he threatened to "break her kneecaps" to send a message to other members of Congress about the consequences of their actions. Authorities discovered a backpack in DePape's possession containing tape, a rope, and zip ties.

The trial is expected to include testimony from Paul Pelosi, who is scheduled to take the stand next week. Additionally, jurors will be allowed to listen to portions of a 5-minute call DePape made in January to a television reporter, during which he repeated conspiracy theories and expressed his views on freedom and liberty.

Experts, such as Katherine Keneally from the nonprofit Institute for Strategic Dialogue, have pointed out that this attack is an example of how online hate, conspiracies, and false narratives can influence political violence. Keneally noted that individuals who commit such acts are often struggling with mental health issues or facing other personal crises.

It has also emerged that DePape had additional targets in mind, including a women's and queer studies professor, California Governor Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks, and President Joe Biden's son, Hunter. The defense's witness list includes one of these targets, although their name has been redacted. The prosecution, on the other hand, has a list of 15 potential witnesses, including the surgeon who operated on Paul Pelosi, federal agents, San Francisco police officers, and first responders.

If convicted, DePape faces life in prison on the federal charges. He has also been charged in state court with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, and other felonies. A trial for the state charges has not been scheduled at this time.