A federal judge has granted a motion to reopen the sentencing case against David DePapp, the man convicted of assaulting Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi's husband. The judge is reopening the sentencing portion of the case on a technicality because DePapp was not given an opportunity to speak before the sentence of 30 years in federal prison was handed down on Friday.
Prosecutors filed a motion immediately after the hearing, arguing that while DePapp was not required to speak, he should have been given the chance to do so. Despite opposition from DePapp's defense team, the judge, Jacqueline Corley, acknowledged the error and agreed that DePapp should have had the opportunity to address the court.
The sentencing portion of the case will be reopened on May 28th at 9:30 am to allow DePapp to speak. In addition to the sentencing issue, DePapp's defense team has filed an appeal on the entire sentence in the federal case.
DePapp is also facing separate charges in a state case, including attempted murder, burglary, and assault. The state case is scheduled to go to trial later this summer.
