The man accused of bludgeoning U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer after forcing his way into the couple's home threatened to take her hostage and break "her kneecaps" if she lied under his questioning, according to a federal criminal complaint filed on Monday.
David Wayne DePape's alleged intentions emerged as federal prosecutors charged the 42-year-old suspect with assault and attempted kidnapping in Friday's predawn break-in at the Pelosis' San Francisco home.
The 82-year-old speaker, a Democrat who is second in the line of succession to the U.S. presidency, was in Washington at the time. Her husband, Paul Pelosi, 82, has been hospitalized as he recovers from skull fractures and injuries to his hands and right arm.
Doctors expect a full recovery, the speaker's office said.