Overview
- Jurors in Doña Ana County found Felipe Hernandez not guilty of second-degree murder and guilty of voluntary manslaughter on Thursday.
- Judge Richard Jacquez ordered Hernandez remanded to jail pending sentencing, where he faces up to 11 years in prison.
- Prosecutors said Hernandez fired as 45-year-old Teresa Gomez tried to drive away during an Oct. 3, 2023 encounter at a Las Cruces public housing complex.
- Body camera video showed Gomez was shot three times, and a medical examiner concluded a chest wound was fatal.
- Hernandez testified he feared for his safety after believing passenger Jesus Garcia had a handgun that was later identified as a paintball gun, as the defense argued justification and the state pressed for a murder conviction.