New Mexico Forms Library

14-121A.  Individual voir dire; death penalty cases; two juries used.¹

            In New Mexico there are two possible penalties for a person who has been convicted of [an intentional deliberate first degree]² murder.  Those penalties are life imprisonment or death.  New Mexico has a two-phase trial in those cases in which the death penalty may be imposed.

            The first phase is called the innocence-guilt phase. In this phase the jury decides whether the state has proven the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  In making this decision the jury cannot consider the consequences of its verdict or any possible sentence.  If the defendant is found guilty of [an intentional deliberate first degree]² murder, a second jury is  selected for a second phase of the trial called the sentencing phase.  At that time the sentencing jury may hear more evidence and will hear legal instructions and arguments of counsel.  The sentencing jury then decides the penalty of life in prison or death.

            I am going to ask you some questions concerning your views about possible penalties for someone convicted of [an intentional deliberate first degree]² murder.  When I speak of murder, I mean a killing of a human being which is intentional, not justifiable and not legally excusable.  Murder does not include killings of people which are accidental, which are committed in self-defense or for which there is some other legal defense.  In other words, these questions refer only to persons who have intentionally and illegally killed another human being.

            Asking these questions is a procedural requirement and the fact that you are asked questions about possible penalties does not reflect on whether __________________________ (name of defendant) should be sentenced to death or life in prison. In fact, these questions do not refer to this case specifically, but to your views in general. If you do not understand a question, please let me know and we will clarify the question.

            1.         What is your attitude about penalties for persons convicted of [an intentional premeditated first degree]² murder? 

            2.         Do you feel that the death penalty is the appropriate penalty for all persons convicted of [an intentional deliberate first degree]² murder?

            3.         Do you feel that the death penalty is appropriate for some, but not all, persons convicted of [an intentional deliberate first degree]² murder?

            4.         Do you feel that the death penalty is never an appropriate penalty for people convicted of [an intentional deliberate first degree]² murder?

            5.         After answering the above questions, please tell us more about your views and why you answered as you did.³

USE NOTES

            1.         For use only in cases where the death penalty may be imposed. This instruction may be used when two separate juries are used for the innocence-guilt and sentencing phases of the trial.  This instruction may be used for the sentencing jury but shall not be used for the trial jury.  When one jury is used for both the innocence-guilt phase and the sentencing phase, UJI 14-121 NMRA shall be used.  These questions are not mandatory.

            2.         Set forth or describe the type of murder charged which may result in the imposition of the death penalty.

            3.         The attorneys may now question the juror.  If the answer to question 2 is yes, the defendant's attorney may question first as to the juror's attitudes.  If the juror's answer to question 3 is yes, the court may alternate between the prosecuting attorney and the defendant's attorney as to who questions the prospective juror first.  If the answer to question 4 is yes, the prosecuting attorney may question first about the juror's attitudes.

[Adopted by Supreme Court Order No. 09-8300-043, effective November 30, 2009, for all new and pending cases.]