SAN FRANCISCO — The person accused of attacking former U.S. Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer apologized Tuesday, echoing right-wing conspiracy theories to elucidate to jurors that he went to Pelosi’s home as half of a bigger plot to finish what he noticed as authorities corruption.

David Debab spoke for greater than an hour, throughout which he tearfully narrated how his political leanings shifted from left to proper after studying a touch upon a YouTube video about former President Donald Trump. He stated he hit Paul Pelosi after realizing his larger plan would possibly collapse.

Testimony concluded later Tuesday, and shutting arguments are anticipated Wednesday. DePape has pleaded not responsible to tried kidnapping of a federal official and assault on a member of a federal official’s quick household with intent to retaliate towards the official for performing his duties. His attorneys say he was not looking for to prosecute Nancy Pelosi for her official duties as a member of Congress, so the costs don’t swimsuit him.

The assault occurred within the early hours of October 28, 2022, simply days earlier than the midterm elections.

Debab, 43, stated he went to Pelosi’s home to speak to Nancy Pelosi about Russian interference within the 2016 election, and that he deliberate to decorate up in an inflatable unicorn costume and add his questioning of her on-line. Prosecutors say he had a rope and zip ties with him.

DePape testified that his plan was to persuade Nancy Pelosi and different targets to admit to their corruption. He stated: “If she lies, I’ll break her knees.” “The selection is on her.”

He added that he then wished President Joe Biden to pardon the targets “so we are able to transfer ahead as a rustic.”

In his testimony Monday, Paul Pelosi recounted the assault publicly for the primary time. He remembers being woken by a person who burst by the bed room door and requested, “The place’s Nancy?” He stated that when he replied that his spouse was in Washington, Dieppe stated he would restrain him whereas he waited for her.

Paul Pelosi stated he was in a position to name police, however when officers arrived, DiPepe hit him with a hammer. He stated DePape informed him he must “get you out.”

DePape stated he felt unhealthy for Pelosi after listening to testimony from a neurosurgeon who operated on him after the assault and testified that Pelosi suffered two wounds to his head, together with a fracture to his cranium that needed to be repaired with plates and screws. Pelosi additionally wanted stitches for accidents to her proper arm and hand.

“He was by no means my purpose and I am sorry he received harm,” Debape stated.

“I reacted as a result of my plan was mainly destroyed,” he stated when requested why he struck Pelosi.

DePape testified that he was first drawn to right-wing conspiracies after studying about “Gamergate,” a web-based harassment marketing campaign towards ladies within the online game neighborhood that occurred a couple of decade in the past. He stated he would usually play video video games for as much as six hours a day whereas listening to political podcasts.

He stated he believes the media has repeatedly lied about Trump, and particularly talked about CNN. In his rant posted on a weblog and on-line discussion board that was deleted after his arrest, Dibab echoed the baseless right-wing QAnon conspiracy idea that claims the U.S. authorities is run by a cabal of Devil-worshiping pedophiles, however he didn’t point out that on Tuesday.

He allegedly informed authorities that his different targets embrace a ladies’s and LGBT research professor on the College of Michigan, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks, and President Joe Biden’s son Hunter. He informed jurors that he heard in regards to the professor whereas listening to conservative commentator James Lindsay.

“The concept I received is that she desires to show our faculties into pedophilia factories,” stated Debab, a Canadian citizen who moved to america greater than 20 years in the past.

The professor testified that a few of her writings had been misconstrued to suit a story towards the homosexual motion. U.S. District Choose Jacqueline Scott Corley ordered her title to not be included within the public report due to threats towards her.

When Debab’s protection legal professional requested whether or not she supported youngster abuse, the professor replied: “In no way.”

She stated that after Paul Pelosi was attacked, the FBI knowledgeable her that she was Debab’s major goal. She stated she notified college officers, they usually took measures to guard her, her college students and different workers.

Different witnesses who testified Tuesday included Daniel Bernal, Nancy Pelosi’s chief of workers in San Francisco, and Debab’s neighbor Elizabeth Yates, who stated she allowed him to bathe at her home as soon as per week.