The man accused of assaulting US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s husband said the interaction between the two was ‘pretty friendly’ until he hit the 82-year-old with a hammer, according to reports. statements made during a hearing on Wednesday 14).

David DePape, 42, appeared in court in San Francisco, California, where justice will determine whether the case will go to trial.

A former public nudist activist, DePape has denied allegations against him, including attempted murder, since breaking into Pelosi’s home in October.

Defendant told police he intended to abduct Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, but came across the congresswoman’s husband, Paul, whom the intruder allegedly ended up hit with a hammer.

Prosecutors released a clip of DePape’s interrogation by case detectives for the court.

The suspect, a Canadian citizen, claimed he told Paul Pelosi he would not turn himself in, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I threatened him a couple of times, but most of the time (the interaction) was pretty friendly,” DePape said in the recording.

But when he decided to take on Paul Pelosi, DePape did so “with all his might”, completed the newspaper, which published some statements from the recording.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has said DePape intends to tie up Democrat Nancy Pelosi, one of the biggest names in American politics, and smash her knees with a hammer if she doesn’t. did not admit the “lies” of the Democrats.

DePape was carrying tape, rope and other materials, according to the DOJ.

Nancy Pelosi, second in the line of presidential succession behind Vice President Kamala Harris, was not at home at the time of the invasion.

Paul Pelosi managed to call the police while the attacker was inside the house.

Officers subdued DePape, but not before the assailant fractured Paul Pelosi’s skull, knocking him unconscious.

On Wednesday, prosecutors released body camera footage of one of the officers, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

DePape is heard responding “Oh, no” when ordered to drop the hammer, shortly before attacking Nancy Pelosi’s husband.

“A sound that appears to be Paul Pelosi’s snoring is heard at the end of the video,” the newspaper added.

The attempted kidnapping and attack took place days before the US midterm elections, held in a polarized environment contaminated by conspiracy theories promoted by certain political figures.

If the case goes to trial and DePape is found guilty, he could be sentenced to 13 years to life in prison, according to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.

DePape also faces another federal case, in which he is charged with kidnapping and assault, charges he also denies.

Paul Pelosi spent nearly a week in hospital after the attack and underwent surgery.

Nancy Pelosi said her husband has “a long process of recovery” ahead of him.

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© Agence France-Presse