The Canadian man accused of breaking into the San Francisco home of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and pounding her husband with a hammer pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to state criminal charges.
David DePape is charged with attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary, elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and threatening a family member of a public official.
Mr DePape denied all of the charges and waived his right to a quick trial, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said.
His next court date is scheduled for February 23, 2023.
A San Francisco police officer testified earlier in December that he saw the October attack.
Prosecutors say the suspect, demanding to see Ms Pelosi, a Democrat, broke into her home and attacked her husband.
The assault stoked fears about political violence in the US in the run-up to November's midterm elections.
Lt Carla Hurley, who interviewed Mr DePape for an hour on the day of the attack, said the defendant told her of other people he wanted to go after, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks and Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden.
Mr DePape, a long-time Bay Area resident, had been active on social media, railing against the government and technology companies, and spreading far-right conspiracy theories.
“There is evil in Washington. What they did went so far beyond the campaign,” Mr DePape told Lt Hurley, according to a recording of their interview heard in court.
Police say Mr DePape broke into the Pelosi home early on October 28, aiming to take the House Speaker hostage, but she was in Washington at the time.
Mr DePape allegedly attacked her husband instead after a verbal confrontation.
After the attack, Paul Pelosi was in intensive care and had surgery for a skull fracture and injuries to his right arm and hands. He was released from hospital in early November.
Paul Pelosi attack highlights growing risk of US political violence - in pictures
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Paul Pelosi, the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was violently assaulted by a hammer-wielding attacker in the couple's San Francisco home. Reuters -
San Francisco police officers and FBI agents gather in front of the Pelosi home after the attack. Getty Images / AFP -
Suspected attacker David Depape in 2013. AP -
The Associated Press reported that the assailant had been searching for Ms Pelosi when he entered her residence, shouting: 'Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?' Getty Images / AFP -
A police officer rolls out yellow tape near the Pelosi residence. The attack on Mr Pelosi comes before the US midterms and is the latest violence against a political figure. AP -
Police tape is seen in front of the Pelosi home. Getty Images / AFP -
A screengrab taken from video shows damage to the Pelosi home. Reuters -
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has previously said she uses campaign funds to pay for additional security due to concerns for her safety. Getty Images / AFP -
In July, she faulted the police response after she was harassed by a right-wing agitator who recorded a video of himself making vulgar comments about her as she entered the US Capitol. EPA -
Steve Scalise, a congressman, was shot at a baseball practice in 2017. Getty Images / AFP -
A man was arrested outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and charged with attempted murder in June. AP -
Police outside Mr Kavanaugh's home after the Supreme Court ended the federal right to abortion. Reuters -
Police guard Mr Kavanaugh's home in Maryland. Getty Images / AFP -
Nancy and Paul Pelosi arrive for the Time 100 Gala at Lincoln Centre in New York. AFP -
The Pelosis in 2019. AP -
Pope Francis meets the Pelosis at the Vatican in June 2022. AFP -
America has long grappled with political violence. President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. AP -
Robert F Kennedy, JFK's brother, was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968. AP -
Police and Secret Service agents react during the assassination attempt on then US president Ronald Reagan in 1981. AFP -
Mr Reagan is shoved into the president's limousine after being shot outside a Washington hotel. AP -
Reagan was hit by one of six shots fired by John Hinckley (not pictured). AP
Reuters contributed to this report
