Pelosi attacker says, "I'm sorry I didn't get more of them," in odd call from jail

David DePape called into KTVU on Friday after footage was released of his attack at the Pelosi home in 2022

By Kelly McClure

Nights & Weekends Editor

Published January 28, 2023 11:34AM (EST)

David DePape in Berkeley, CA (Michael Short/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
David DePape in Berkeley, CA (Michael Short/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

On Friday, The San Francisco Superior Court released footage of the October 28, 2022 attack at the Pelosi home in San Francisco, California, during which Paul Pelosi was hit with a hammer by a man now known to be David DePape.

In the graphic footage, DePape can be seen struggling to gain entry to the home and then, later, bashing Pelosi in the head in front of police officers who had arrived at the scene.

Shortly after the footage was released on Friday, DePape phoned in to the KTVU newsroom from jail, where he's up against state charges of attempted murder and elder abuse, and federal charges for kidnapping. In the chilling call, DePape boasted about his actions during the attack, and expressed the wish that he would have "been more prepared."

"Now that you all have seen the body cam footage, I have an important message for everyone in America," DePape said in the call. "You're welcome."


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DePape goes on to say that he sought out to "pay a little visit" to the people he believes to be responsible for killing freedom and liberty, and is only regretful that he "didn't get more of them."

 "I have a lot more to say," DePape continued. "I had a website of over 300 pages. That's 300 pages of stuff they don't want you to hear. I'm in the process of trying to set up a new site out of the reach of tyrannical global fascists."

In December of 2022, DePape pleaded not guilty to attempted murder for the attack that left Pelosi with a fractured skull. A San Francisco judge has set a trial date for DePape of Feb. 23.


By Kelly McClure

Kelly McClure is Salon's Nights and Weekends Editor covering daily news, politics and culture. Her work has also appeared in Vulture, Vanity Fair, Vice and many other outlets that don't start with the letter V. She is the author of one sad book called "Something Is Always Happening Somewhere." Follow her on Bluesky: @WolfieVibes

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