VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER EXCLUSIONS

HB 278 amends New Mexico's voluntary manslaughter statute to clarify that killings occurring during a felony escape or while resisting lawful arrest are no longer excluded from the definition of voluntary manslaughter. This means individuals who cause death while fleeing a felony or resisting arrest would now be charged with voluntary manslaughter (a third-degree felony), rather than potentially facing lesser charges. The bill directly affects people involved in violent incidents during these specific scenarios. The key change removes an existing exclusion in the law, making such killings subject to the same legal standard as other voluntary manslaughter cases.