DEATH PENALTY FOR CERTAIN CRIMES

SB 341 would impose the death penalty in New Mexico for three specific offenses: causing a child's death through willful neglect/abuse, causing a child's death while committing drug-related felonies, or causing a law enforcement officer's death during a felony. The bill requires a unanimous jury decision for a death sentence, mandates consideration of aggravating factors (like prior abuse or gang ties), and allows mitigating circumstances to reduce the sentence to life without parole. It includes due process protections such as legal representation, a separate sentencing hearing, and automatic appeal to the Supreme Court. The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and never became law.