As to the offense against Michelle, we conclude the instructional error was
harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. We have no difficulty deciding from the record that
the jury would have reached the same verdict but for the error. We reach a different
result as to the crime involving Chris. Stutelberg's use of the box cutter in that encounter
is more nebulous, and on the record before us we cannot conclude that the instructional
error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Accordingly, we reverse his conviction
for assault with a deadly weapon in count 3 but otherwise affirm the judgment.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Stutelberg arrived at a bar one evening, intoxicated and wearing no shirt. He was
yelling and arguing with the bouncer and assistant manager, who were denying him entry
into the bar. A few minutes later, Stutelberg retreated from the bar but continued to yell
at the bouncer and assistant manager while standing next to his friend's car. Michelle, a
bar patron, approached the female passenger sitting in the parked car. She urged the
1 Further statutory references are to the Penal Code, unless otherwise indicated. 2
woman to take Stutelberg home to prevent police from being called. In response, the
woman left the car and ran towards Michelle, who held out her right hand and told the
woman to "back up."
Michelle's friend Chris and Missael O., a bar employee, walked toward Michelle.
Stutelberg started "flicking" a box cutter toward their faces. Chris yelled that he saw a
knife. Stutelberg swung a fist at Chris but missed. Michelle grabbed Stutelberg and
pushed him into a light pole. Stutelberg punched Michelle and cut the back of her head
with the box cutter.
The San Diego County District Attorney charged Stutelberg by amended
information with aggravated mayhem against Michelle (§ 205, count 1), attempted
aggravated mayhem against Chris (§§ 205, 664, count 2), assault with a deadly weapon
against Chris (§ 245, subd. (a)(1), count 3), attempted aggravated mayhem against
Missael (§§ 205, 664, count 4), and assault with a deadly weapon against Missael (§ 245,
subd. (a)(1), count 5). Counts 1, 2, and 4 carried an enhancement for personal use of a
deadly or dangerous weapon (§ 12022, subd. (b)(1)). All five counts were classified as
"serious" felonies under section 1192.7, subdivision (c)(23) based on Stutelberg's alleged
personal use of a deadly or dangerous weapon. Count 1 was additionally classified as a
serious felony based on the allegation Stutelberg personally inflicted great bodily injury
on Michelle (§ 1192.7, subd. (c)(8)).
The jury convicted Stutelberg of mayhem (§ 203), a lesser included offense of
count 1 against Michelle and found true the deadly weapon enhancement and great bodily
injury and deadly weapon allegations attached to that count. It also convicted him of
3
assault with a deadly weapon (§ 245, subd. (a)(1)) on count 3 against Chris, finding the
deadly weapon allegation true. It acquitted on counts 2, 4, and 5.
The court sentenced Stutelberg to a three-year prison term on count 1, consisting
of the two-year low term plus a year for the deadly weapon enhancement. It imposed a
concurrent two-year low term sentence on count 3.
DISCUSSION
To consider the assault with a deadly weapon charge in count 3 and the deadly
weapon enhancement in count 1, the jury had to determine whether the box cutter
Stutelberg used was a deadly weapon. The court instructed jurors under CALCRIM
No. 875, the assault instruction, in part that:
"A deadly weapon other than a firearm is any object, instrument, or weapon that is inherently deadly or one that is used in such a way that it is capable of causing and likely to cause death or great bodily injury."
It also provided the jury with CALCRIM No. 3145 as to the enhancement, which
contained similar language:
"A deadly or dangerous weapon is any object, instrument, or weapon, that is inherently deadly or dangerous, or one that is used in such a way that it is capable of causing and likely to cause death or great bodily injury. [¶] In deciding whether an object is a deadly weapon, consider all the surrounding circumstances, including when and where the object was possessed and any other evidence that indicates whether the object would be used for a dangerous, rather than a harmless, purpose."
These instructions are flawed because they suggest the jury might properly
conclude that a box cutter is inherently dangerous. A box cutter, however, is not an
inherently deadly weapon as a matter of law. (People v. McCoy (1944) 25 Cal.2d 177,
4
188.) For the jury to properly find that Stutelberg used a deadly weapon under the facts
of this case, it would have needed to rely on the second theory—that he used the box
cutter in a way capable of causing and likely to cause death or great bodily injury.
The parties do not dispute that the inclusion of language regarding an "inherently
deadly weapon" in CALCRIM No. 3145 was instructional error. Instead, they disagree
on whether the error was prejudicial. That narrow question turns on a two-step inquiry:
(1) whether the error was factual error or legal error; and (2) what prejudice standard
applies.
As we explain, the instructional error in this case is legal in nature, and we
therefore employ the traditional Chapman standard to evaluate prejudice. (Chapman v.
California (1967) 386 U.S. 18 (Chapman).) Applying that standard to Stutelberg's
convictions, we conclude the error was harmless as to his conviction in count 1 involving
Michelle but prejudicial as to his conviction in count 3 involving Chris. Accordingly, we
reverse the judgment of conviction as to count 3 and remand for further proceedings.
1. The instructions presented a legally (rather than factually) invalid theory
As noted, the jury in this case should not have been instructed on an "inherently
dangerous" weapon. The only weapon involved in the case was a box cutter, and it is not
inherently dangerous as a matter of law. The threshold question is whether this error was
factual or legal. Stutelberg contends the error was legal, whereas the People claim the
error was factual. We conclude Stutelberg is correct.
A legal error is an incorrect statement of law, whereas a factual error is an
otherwise valid legal theory that is not supported by the facts or evidence in a case.
5
(People v. Guiton (1993) 4 Cal.4th 1116, 1125 (Guiton).) Between the two, legal error
requires a more stringent standard for prejudice, for jurors are presumed to be less able to
identify and ignore an incorrect statement of law due to their lack of formal legal training.
(Id. at p. 1125, quoting Griffin v. United States (1991) 502 U.S. 46, 59.) Factual errors,
on the other hand, are less likely to be prejudicial because jurors are generally able to
evaluate the facts of a case and ignore factually inapplicable theories. (Guiton, at
p. 1125, quoting Griffin, at p. 59.)
The People argue the error was factual because the jury was simply given
otherwise correct instructions about a legal theory that was inapplicable to the facts of the
case. In other words, because a box cutter is not inherently dangerous, the jury was
presented with a factually inapplicable theory even though the instruction may have been
a correct statement of law in the abstract.
We disagree. An "inherently deadly or dangerous" weapon is a term of art
describing objects that are deadly or dangerous in "the ordinary use for which they are
designed," that is, weapons that have no practical nondeadly purpose. (People v. Perez
(2018) 4 Cal.5th 1055, 1065.) But the jurors were never provided with this definition,
and they could reasonably classify a box cutter, which is sharp and used for cutting, as
inherently dangerous based on the common understanding of the term. This amounts to
legal, rather than factual, error.
6
We agree with People v. Aledamat (2018) 20 Cal.App.5th 1149, review granted
July 5, 2018, S248105 (Aledamat), on this narrow issue.2 Aledamat, another case
involving a box cutter, concluded that an instruction defining "dangerous weapon" to
include an " 'inherently dangerous' " object presented "a legally (rather than factually)
invalid theory." (Id. at p. 1154.) As the opinion persuasively reasons,
"There was no failure of proof—that is, a failure to show through evidence that the box cutter is an 'inherently dangerous' weapon. Instead, a box cutter cannot be an inherently deadly weapon 'as a matter of law.' [Citation.] This is functionally indistinguishable from a situation in which a jury is instructed that a particular felony can be a predicate for felony murder when, as a matter of law, it cannot be." (Ibid.)3
2. We evaluate prejudice under the Chapman standard
The parties agree that we apply the Chapman standard (Chapman, supra, 386 U.S.
at p. 24) to evaluate an instruction that improperly defines an element of a charged
offense. (See People v. Brown (2012) 210 Cal.App.4th 1, 12–13 (Brown) [applying
Chapman to evaluate prejudice from an instruction allowing the jury to incorrectly
2 The Supreme Court granted review in Aledamat to address the appropriate standard for evaluating prejudice resulting from legal error. As we explain, although we agree with Aledamat that the error was of a legal nature, we part ways in deciding the appropriate standard for prejudice. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115, subdivision (e)(1), we cite Aledamat solely for its persuasive value.
3 We disagree with the People's claim that this case is "strikingly similar" to Guiton, supra, 4 Cal.4th 1116. In Guiton, there was no risk the jury would have convicted on the factually inapplicable theory that the defendant had sold cocaine. Although the People are correct that the jury was never instructed that a box cutter was an inherently deadly weapon, it may have employed a common understanding of the term to rely on a legally inapplicable theory. 7
classify a BB gun as an inherently deadly weapon].) The error here implicates
Stutelberg's due process rights by lessening the prosecution's burden to prove an element
of a crime. (See People v. Harris (1994) 9 Cal.4th 407, 438 ["jury instructions in a state
criminal trial omitting the requirement of proof of every element of a crime beyond a
reasonable doubt are erroneous under the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause"].)
Pursuant to Chapman, instructional error requires reversal unless it appears beyond a
reasonable doubt that it did not contribute to the verdict. (Harris, at p. 424.)
Where the parties disagree is whether we evaluate the particular type of
instructional error here under a heightened Chapman inquiry. Citing Aledamat, supra,
20 Cal.App.5th 1149, 1154, Stutelberg claims reversal is required absent an affirmative
showing that no juror relied on the invalid theory. The People, in turn, maintain that
Aledamat was wrongly decided. Aledamat is currently pending review on whether its
affirmative showing standard is a proper interpretation of Chapman. Absent further
guidance from the Supreme Court, we believe the traditional "harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt" framework is the proper standard to apply.
As recently as 2017, the Supreme Court held that error in instructing on the
elements of a crime is harmless "so long as the error does not vitiate all of the jury's
if "it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have rendered the same
verdict absent the error." (Id. at p. 831.) The Supreme Court likewise recently held that
instructing on an invalid legal theory may be harmless when " 'other aspects of the verdict
or the evidence leave no reasonable doubt that the jury made findings necessary' " to
8
convict under a different, valid legal theory. (In re Martinez (2017) 3 Cal.5th 1216,
1226, quoting People v. Chun (2009) 45 Cal.4th 1172, 1205.) Chun, like many cases
before it, utilized the traditional Chapman inquiry into whether an instructional error was
harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. (Chun, at p. 1201; see Neder v. United States
(1999) 527 U.S. 1, 4 ["A constitutional error is harmless when it appears 'beyond a
reasonable doubt' that the error . . . did not contribute to the verdict obtained."]; see also
People v. Swain (1996) 12 Cal.4th 593, 607 ["beyond a reasonable doubt" is the standard
"traditionally applied to misinstruction on the elements of an offense"].) We believe this
time-tested approach is appropriate here.4
As a practical matter, evidence regarding the effect of statements or events on the
mental processes of a juror is inadmissible to impeach a verdict. (Evid. Code, § 1150,
subd. (a).) To conclude as Stutelberg urges that Chapman, supra, 386 U.S. 18 requires
an affirmative showing of how the jury reached its decision in this context would erect a
nearly insurmountable barrier, creating in effect a rule of per se reversal. Aledamat
recognized that the heightened version of the Chapman test it chose to employ was
"arguably in tension with more recent cases" including the Supreme Court's decision in
Merritt, supra, 2 Cal.5th 819. (Aledamat, supra, 20 Cal.App.5th at p. 1154.) The court
4 As the People explain, applying the usual Chapman standard does not necessarily conflict with Guiton. Guiton acknowledged that instructional error of a legal nature might be found harmless in certain cases, where "it is possible to determine from other portions of the verdict that the jury necessarily found the defendant guilty on the proper theory." (Guiton, supra, 4 Cal.4th at p. 1130.) Because that case dealt with factual rather than legal error, it left the appropriate standard of prejudice for the latter to "future cases." (Id. at p. 1131.) 9
believed, however, that this heightened standard was compelled by Guiton, supra, 4
Cal.4th 1116. For reasons we have explained (ante, fn. 4), we think Guiton intentionally
reserved articulation of the precise standard for future cases. The language Aledamat
treats as binding precedent (see 20 Cal.App.5th at p. 1154) was, at best, dicta. Guided by
caselaw decided since Guiton, we choose to follow the traditional Chapman standard,
which allows us to affirm where a review of the entire record demonstrates beyond a
reasonable doubt that the error did not change the outcome.
3. Applying Chapman reveals harmless error as to count 1 but prejudice as to count 3
The flawed deadly weapon instruction related to (1) the one-year deadly weapon
enhancement for the mayhem charge (as to Michelle); and (2) the assault with a deadly
weapon charge (as to Chris). Because the jury received different evidence and testimony
as to each encounter, we must independently analyze prejudice as to each conviction.
a. Michelle (count 1, mayhem with a deadly weapon enhancement)
The error was harmless as to the deadly weapon enhancement for the mayhem
conviction. The evidence and testimony clearly indicated that Stutelberg sliced the back
of Michelle's head from her left temple to the bottom of her hairline during a bar fight.
After he swung at Chris but missed, Michelle pushed him into a light pole, sparking a
physical altercation between Stutelberg and Michelle. Several witnesses testified that
they saw him stab the back of Michelle's head with a box cutter. Stutelberg conceded
using the box cutter to lacerate Michelle but claimed he did so in self-defense.
10
The error as to Michelle is similar to the one held harmless in Brown, supra, 210
Cal.App.4th 1. There, the court of appeal found that an improper jury instruction
permitted the jury to convict the defendant of assault with a deadly weapon on the basis
that the BB gun was "inherently dangerous," a lesser standard than "inherently deadly" as
the CALCRIM instruction requires. (Id. at p. 11.) Nonetheless, the court ruled the error
was harmless:
"[T]here was ample evidence at trial Brown used the BB gun in a manner capable of inflicting and likely to inflict great bodily injury. That evidence, as well as the arguments of counsel, leave no reasonable doubt the jury found Brown guilty on this basis and not because it concluded the BB gun, regardless of the manner in which it was used, was 'inherently dangerous.' " (Id. at p. 13.)
The evidence and the arguments of counsel here likewise created no reasonable
doubt as to whether the jury would decide Stutelberg used the box cutter as a deadly
weapon against Michelle under the proper definition. Using a sharp box cutter to stab a
victim's head undoubtedly qualifies as using the item "in such a way that it is capable of
causing and likely to cause death or great bodily injury," as shown by the bodily injury
that resulted. (Brown, supra, 210 Cal.App.4th at p. 11.) The wound bled, soaking
Michelle's shirt. She required stitches and was still suffering from residual nerve damage
at trial, roughly eight months after the incident.
The prosecutor's closing argument likewise did not suggest Stutelberg suffered any
prejudice. As the parties agree, the prosecutor did not expressly refer to the "inherently
deadly weapon" theory. Nor did his other statements invite the jury to classify the box
cutter as inherently deadly. Stutelberg is correct that the prosecutor stated "personal use
11
of a deadly weapon" means that "when he committed the crime, he was armed with a
razor blade." But the prosecutor went on to discuss Stutelberg's use of the razor blade to
"swipe" at the victims and to "slash open" Michelle's face. The statements in their
totality did not direct the jury to conclude the box cutter was inherently deadly by default;
rather, they point to ample grounds for the jury to infer that Stutelberg used the box cutter
to "swipe" and "slash open" victims in a manner likely to cause or causing injury. Had
the jury been provided only with the "deadly or dangerous as used" theory and not the
inapplicable "inherently deadly weapon" theory, there is no reasonable probability it
would have rejected the deadly weapon enhancement on count 1. Therefore, the
instructional error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
b. Chris (count 3, assault with a deadly weapon)
We reach a different result as to Stutelberg's assault with a deadly weapon
injured, Chris was not harmed. Stutelberg "swung" at Chris but missed. It is unclear
which arm Stutelberg swung and if he was holding the box cutter in that same hand. On
cross-examination, Chris admitted that it "wasn't as though [Stutelberg] had a razor in his
hand and he's jabbing at [his] face." Although Missael testified that Stutelberg jabbed a
box cutter at both Chris and him in a manner likely to cause great bodily injury, the jury
apparently disbelieved his testimony, acquitting Stutelberg of assault with a deadly
weapon against Missael. The exact manner in which Stutelberg used the box cutter
against Chris is thus unclear. The jury could reasonably conclude that his "flicking"
motion was more of a threat, as opposed to an act likely to cause death or great bodily
12
injury. Under these circumstances, we cannot say that the court's error in instructing the
jury regarding an inherently dangerous weapon was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
The error is prejudicial for reasons similar to those found in People v. Hudson
(2006) 38 Cal.4th 1002. There, the jury convicted the defendant of eluding a pursuing
police officer, a crime requiring the officer's vehicle to be "distinctively marked." (Id. at
p. 1006.) The jury, however, was not told that a "distinctively marked" police vehicle
must have at least one additional police-like feature besides a red light and a siren. (Id. at
p. 1013.) The Supreme Court reversed the conviction because the jury could have
wrongly classified the police car as "distinctively marked" based solely on its light and
siren. (Id. at p. 1014). Similarly, the flawed instruction in this case could have caused
the jury to misclassify the box cutter as an "inherently" deadly weapon. Given the factual
uncertainty as to whether Stutelberg used the box cutter in a manner likely to cause Chris
serious physical injury, we cannot say beyond a reasonable doubt that a properly
instructed jury would have found that Stutelberg necessarily used the box cutter in a
deadly or dangerous manner. Accordingly, the conviction on count 3 must be reversed.5
5 Stutelberg suggests that reversal will require the trial court to recalculate certain fines and fees ordered at sentencing. These are issues for the trial court to address in the first instance following retrial, if any, on count 3. If the prosecution does not retry Stutelberg on count 3, or if he were acquitted on retrial, the court would need to recalculate the restitution fine (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)(1)), suspended parole revocation fine (§ 1202.45), victim restitution (§ 1202.4, subd. (f)), and levied fees (§ 1465.8; Gov. Code, § 70373) insofar as they are predicated on two felony convictions. 13
DISPOSITION
The judgment of conviction as to count 3 is reversed and the matter is remanded
for further proceedings consistent with this opinion, which may include retrial on
count 3 and/or recalculation of applicable fines and fees. In all other respects, the
judgment is affirmed.
DATO, J. WE CONCUR:
IRION, Acting P. J.
GUERRERO, J.
14
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court held that while the trial court erred by instructing the jury that a box cutter could be considered an 'inherently deadly weapon,' the error was harmless regarding the mayhem conviction involving a victim who was severely injured, but prejudicial regarding the assault conviction involving a victim who was not injured.
Issues
Whether the trial court's inclusion of an 'inherently deadly weapon' theory in jury instructions constituted legal or factual error.
Whether the instructional error regarding the definition of a deadly weapon was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt for the defendant's specific convictions.
Disposition. Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“A box cutter, however, is not an inherently deadly weapon as a matter of law.”
“The instructional error in this case is legal in nature, and we therefore employ the traditional Chapman standard to evaluate prejudice.”
“We reverse his conviction for assault with a deadly weapon in count 3 but otherwise affirm the judgment.”