EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The trial of former Las Cruces police officer Felipe Hernandez, accused of shooting and killing a woman during a 2023 encounter, continued Thursday, Oct. 30, with closing arguments from both the defense and prosecution.
Hernandez is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 45-year-old Teresa Gomez, which happened on Oct. 3, 2023.
On Wednesday, during the third day of the trial, Hernandez took the stand for the first time. He shared details about his background, including his service in Iraq as a U.S. Army soldier and a 2005 diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
He also described the moments leading up to the deadly encounter, saying he believed one of the individuals involved, Jesus Garcia, was armed. The item Garcia held was later identified as a paintball gun.
Prosecutors allege Hernandez fired multiple shots as Gomez attempted to drive away, striking her and causing injuries that later proved fatal. Hernandez testified that he fired three rounds because he feared for his life and was attempting to stop Gomez, not kill her.
Body camera footage from the incident was played in court earlier this week. Hernandez’s defense team has maintained that the shooting was a “justifiable homicide,” while prosecutors argue that the use of deadly force was unwarranted.
During Thursday’s closing arguments, defense attorney Jeffrey Lujan told the jury that Hernandez is not guilty of either voluntary manslaughter or second-degree murder.
As the state began its final remarks, one of the prosecutors urged jurors to convict Hernandez, telling them, “Who wouldn’t have been intimidated by Mr. Hernandez, his actions, his attempt, who wouldn’t?” The prosecutor then asked the jury to return a verdict of guilty of second-degree murder.
Presiding Judge Richard Jacquez ordered the jury to begin deliberations shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday.
This is a developing story, and KTSM 9 News will provide updates as the trial continues.
Read: Read More