Teenager Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in Fatal San Jose Stabbing

A juvenile court judge has found a 14-year-old boy guilty of second-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old David Gutierrez at Santana Row in San Jose, prosecutors announced Friday. The defendant, who was 13 at the time of the attack, is not being publicly identified due to his age.

According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, the incident occurred while Gutierrez was wearing red to celebrate Valentine's Day with his girlfriend. Prosecutors said a group of five gang members mistook Gutierrez for a rival gang member, assaulted him, and stole his metal chain before a security guard intervened. Following the physical altercation, the defendant argued with Gutierrez, drew a knife, and stabbed him in the torso, piercing his heart. Minutes prior to this confrontation, the same group had reportedly robbed another man wearing red of his shoes.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen stated he will seek the maximum juvenile sentence of seven years in a secure facility. Because of his age at the time of the crime, the teenager could not be tried as an adult, where he would have faced a potential sentence of 15 years to life. Rosen noted that without the maximum commitment, the minor could have been released in a matter of months.

The youth is scheduled to return to court on July 1 for the second phase of the trial, during which the judge will decide if the murder was committed to benefit a criminal street gang. Three other teenagers have already received dispositions for their involvement in the incident, while the case against an adult suspect, Emanuel Sanchez Damian, remains pending.