Overview
- Jury selection and opening proceedings began Monday in Doña Ana County District Court before Judge Richard Jacquez.
- Prosecutors told jurors that body-camera video shows Felipe Hernandez firing as Teresa Gomez drove away, and an investigative task force concluded she posed no threat.
- The encounter occurred on Oct. 3, 2023 at the Burley Court public housing complex, where Hernandez was on bicycle patrol and passenger Jesus Garcia told the officer he had a paintball gun.
- A criminal complaint was filed in January 2024, and the Las Cruces Police Department later fired Hernandez after determining there was probable cause to charge him.
- The City of Las Cruces settled the wrongful-death lawsuit for $20 million in November 2024, while the criminal case saw delays from defense motions and interpreter scheduling and Hernandez pursued separate suits over access to union legal-defense funds.