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The lawyer representing the man charged with hammering Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home stated in court Tuesday morning. The suspect acted due to mental health problems rather than political motives.
A Hamilton County judge set bond Tuesday for the 26-year-old man accused of damaging Vice President JD Vance’s home in East Walnut Hills. This followed a chaotic incident early Monday morning that left windows shattered and a Secret Service vehicle damaged.
The bond for those charges was set at $11,000, WCPO reported.
Suspect William DeFoor appeared in Hamilton County Municipal Court for his arraignment on multiple charges. These included felony vandalism, criminal trespassing, and obstructing official business.
While prosecutors highlighted the high-profile nature of the target—the private residence of the Vice President of the United States—the defense offered a different narrative.
According to DeFoor’s legal counsel, the incident was not a calculated political attack. It was the result of a severe mental health episode. The defense argued that DeFoor, who has a documented history of psychological struggles in Hamilton County courts, was not motivated by animus toward the Vice President. Instead, he was suffering from a breakdown that required immediate medical intervention rather than incarceration.
Details of the Vance home incident
The charges stem from an incident that began shortly after midnight on Monday, January 5. According to reports from the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service, agents stationed at the property observed a man running along the perimeter of the residence on William Howard Taft Drive.
Court documents state that the suspect, identified as DeFoor, was armed with a hammer. He allegedly ignored commands from federal agents and proceeded to smash four windows on the ground floor of the residence. Additionally, he is accused of damaging a Secret Service vehicle parked in the driveway.
Agents detained DeFoor at the scene after a brief struggle. Vice President Vance and his family were not in Cincinnati at the time of the break-in, having returned to Washington, D.C., the previous afternoon. In a statement posted to social media shortly after the event, Vance described the intruder as a person who’s out of control. He expressed relief that his children were not present to witness the violence.
Prosecutor points to security risks
During the Tuesday hearing, prosecutors argued for a substantial bond, citing the violent nature of the alleged acts and the target of the vandalism. They noted that attacking the home of a sitting Vice President constitutes a significant breach of public order and national security protocols.
The prosecution emphasized that DeFoor allegedly used a weapon—a hammer—to destroy property. Additionally, he resisted federal agents during his apprehension. They argued that regardless of the motive, the suspect poses a clear danger to the community and to public officials.
Defense highlights history of mental illness
In rebuttal, the defense attorney pointed to DeFoor’s extensive record within the Hamilton County legal system as evidence. His actions were driven by mental illness.
According to court records obtained by The Cincinnati Enquirer, DeFoor has previously been diverted to the county’s mental health docket. In 2024, he faced vandalism charges related to damage at a local design firm. He was sentenced to two years of court-ordered mental health treatment. Furthermore, in a 2023 trespassing case, a judge reportedly found him incompetent to stand trial due to his psychological state.
“He was doing well, to my understanding, compliant to all orders of that court until these unfortunate events, which I think it’s safe to say were largely driven by mental health issues,” Laufman said, according to WCPO.
”We spent hours yesterday with the Secret Service, going through his papers and allowing the government to ensure this had nothing to do with the specifics of the vice president, as much as it was simply an expression of somebody who was not in a controlled mental health situation,” he added.
The defense requested a lower bond pending a psychiatric evaluation, suggesting that placement in a secure treatment facility would be more appropriate than the county jail.
Prosecutors acknowledged this history but argued it underscored the danger DeFoor poses to the community. Assistant Prosecutor Connor Wood noted that the suspect was allegedly able to carry out the attack despite being under active court supervision for a nearly identical prior offense.
“We do believe that mental health could be a factor here,” Wood said in court. “We have concerns that the defendant is under supervision with felony mental health court for a case that has similar facts.”
Court records confirm that DeFoor has been in the county’s mental health docket since 2024. This followed a vandalism charge where he was accused of breaking a window at a Hyde Park business. In that instance, he was ordered to undergo mental health treatment in lieu of conviction. Additionally, a 2023 trespassing case at UC Health’s psychiatric center was dismissed after a judge found DeFoor incompetent to stand trial.
Despite the prosecution’s request for a higher bond, Judge Bratton set the amount at $11,000, citing the specific classification of the current charges as misdemeanors and low-level felonies.
Security concerns in East Walnut Hills
The incident has rattled the quiet, historic neighborhood of East Walnut Hills. The Vance family has maintained their residence there. Residents have grown accustomed to a heavy Secret Service presence. However, the violent nature of Monday’s break-in has raised new questions about security in the dense residential area.
Local law enforcement has coordinated closely with the Secret Service since Vance joined the national ticket. However, the perimeter of a private home in an urban neighborhood presents unique challenges compared to the isolated grounds of the Naval Observatory in Washington.
Neighbors reported hearing the commotion early Monday but praised the quick response of the agents on duty. However, the event underscores the persistent risks faced by high-profile officials even when they are not physically present at their properties.
Federal charges could complicate the case
While the Tuesday hearing focused on state charges, the legal landscape for DeFoor could become significantly more complex. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio is reviewing the case. Federal charges for damaging government property and assaulting federal officers are likely to be pursued.
Federal involvement often supersedes local proceedings. This could potentially move the case from the Hamilton County Courthouse to the federal district court in Cincinnati. Federal penalties for assaulting a federal officer or damaging property within a restricted zone are severe and do not typically offer the same diversionary mental health programs available at the municipal level.
Legal analysts suggest that if federal prosecutors take the lead, the defense’s strategy will likely shift toward a federal insanity defense or a negotiation regarding the suspect’s competency, a much higher legal bar to clear than in local courts.
Next steps in the legal process
The judge set a preliminary hearing date for later this month. The goal is to determine if there is sufficient evidence to bind the case over to a grand jury. DeFoor remains in custody at the Hamilton County Justice Center.
Attorneys for both sides declined to comment further outside the courtroom. This is due to the ongoing investigation by the Secret Service. The Vice President’s office has not issued further comment beyond the initial statement thanking law enforcement for their swift action.
As the case proceeds, the central question will remain. Will the judicial system treat this as an act of political violence or a manifestation of untreated illness?
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