By Rebecca Shabad
The man accused of brutally attacking the husband of the leader of the House of Representatives, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, appeared Tuesday in state court to hear charges against him, which include attempted murder.
State prosecutors also charged David DePape, 42, with assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, false imprisonment and threatening a public official in the attack on Paul Pelosi on Friday.
DePape pleaded not guilty.
The suspect was indicted Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco and faces between 13 years and life in prison on the charges.
DePape is due back in court
on Nov. 4 for his bond hearing.
During the 15-minute hearing, DePape, who will remain in the county jail, wore an orange jumpsuit and had one arm in a sling.
His attorney, Adam Lipson, told reporters that DePape's shoulder was dislocated when he was detained by police on Friday.
Lipson said he plans to investigate whether DePape was
"vulnerable
to misinformation"
as part of the defense.
David DePape in Berkeley, Calif., on Friday, December 13, 2013.Getty Images
The alleged attacker also faces two federal assault charges: attempted kidnapping and assault with intent to retaliate against a federal official by threatening or injuring a family member.
These charges, announced by the Justice Department on Monday, carry
a maximum of 50 years in prison.
DePape specifically headed to the Pelosi home to confront the House speaker, unaware that she was in Washington, DC, at the time, Jenkins reported.
Based on DePape's alleged statements and comments he made at the house during the meeting with Paul Pelosi, the attack appeared to be "politically motivated," it added.
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Investigators allege DePape attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer after police arrived at the home early Friday.
Pelosi, 82, underwent surgery Friday to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to her right arm and hands.
Nancy Pelosi's husband testifies to police in hospital bed
Oct. 31, 202202:19
The complaint filed by federal prosecutors alleges that DePape wanted to kidnap the speaker of the House of Representatives when he broke into the San Francisco residence.
Police said they found tying ropes in Pelosi's bedroom and in the hallway near the front door of the home.
In DePape's backpack they also found "a roll of duct tape, white string, a hammer, a pair of rubber and cloth gloves, and a journal," they said.
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DePape allegedly told police in an interview the day of the attack that he was going to
"hold Nancy hostage and talk to her
."
“If Nancy told DePape the 'truth,' he would let her go, and if she 'lie,' he would break 'her knees,'” investigators stated in the federal complaint.
The man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's house wanted to take her hostage and "break her knees"
Oct. 31, 202202:29
The suspect also reportedly told investigators that "if he broke Nancy's knees, he would have to enter Congress in a wheelchair, which would show other members of Congress that the actions had consequences."
Pelosi said in a statement Monday night that her husband was "making steady progress in what will be a long process of recovery."
