A San Francisco man's violent encounter ended in a conviction for assault with a deadly weapon after he attacked a local car owner. Jose Gutierrez, 41, was found guilty on charges of using a 3-foot metal pipe to strike the victim in the face, alongside tampering with a motor vehicle. The conviction, delivered after a jury trial, was reported by the San Francisco District Attorney's office yesterday.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins stated, "The jury’s verdict holds Mr. Gutierrez accountable and sends a message condemning violence in our community," according to a press release from the DA's office. In the incident, which took place on March 7, the car owner stumbled upon Gutierrez tampering with his car, and after a confrontation escalated, the latter lashed out with physical force.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed the victim left his South of Market (SOMA) home around 9:30 PM, intending to run a quick errand to Safeway. Upon discovering Gutierrez in his vehicle, a dispute ensued, leading Gutierrez to kick and eventually strike the victim with the pipe. The incident, promptly responded to by the police upon witness calls, led to Gutierrez's arrest that night.

Assistant District Attorney Kirk Earl, who successfully prosecuted the case, lauded the jury's diligence via the San Francisco District Attorney's Office news release, "I would like to thank the jury for thoughtfully considering the law of self-defense in coming to this verdict." He also emphasized the message from the case that "victims of unprovoked, violent crime will be treated seriously and believed in San Francisco." The investigation was bolstered by meticulous work from officers at the San Francisco Police Department's Southern Station, which aided in developing a robust case against Gutierrez.

Gutierrez is currently held in custody and could face up to eighteen months in county jail. His sentencing is set for May 15.