William DeFoor goes to court for Vance home attack, lawyer states it’s not political

Suspect Charged with Vandalizing Vice President’s Home

Defense lawyers claim that the individual accused of vandalizing Vice President J.D. Vance’s residence in Cincinnati lacks any political motivation for his actions.

During a court hearing on Tuesday, lawyer Paul Laufman argued that 26-year-old William DeFoor’s behavior was rooted in mental health issues rather than political intent. “I don’t think this is political at all. It’s strictly a mental health matter,” Laufman remarked, describing DeFoor as a “peaceful” poet.

The judge set DeFoor’s bail at $11,000 on four charges, which include criminal damage to property and trespassing, among others.

Federal Charges Under Review

Later the same day, DeFoor was expected to appear in federal court facing charges that involve damaging government property and assaulting federal officers.

According to an affidavit submitted on Monday, DeFoor allegedly ran along the fenced perimeter of the Vice President’s property before breaching the driveway. He reportedly wielded a hammer in an attempt to shatter the driver’s side window of an unmarked law enforcement vehicle stationed there.

The indictment claims that DeFoor ignored repeated orders to stop and dropped the hammer, eventually breaking a window of the residence itself.

The Secret Service stated that, at the time of the incident, the residence was unoccupied, and that Vance and his family were away.

Additionally, officials noted that damage caused by DeFoor’s actions to the reinforced security features of the windows is estimated to exceed $28,000.

DeFoor allegedly attempted to evade capture but was apprehended by Secret Service agents and local police. Upon his arrest, he requested to be referred to as “Julia,” according to an FBI official.