People v. Aguilar

Opinion

WERDEGAR. J.

Penal Code section 245, subdivision (a)(1)1 punishes “an assault upon the person of another with a deadly weapon or instrument other than a firearm or by any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury.” (Italics added.) We granted review to determine whether hands or feet can constitute “deadly weapons” within the meaning of the statute. That hands and feet may be capable of inflicting deadly force, as by means of karate kicks or prizefighter blows, is not in question. We conclude, however, *1027that the term “weapon,” as used in the statute, implies an object…