Opinion ID: 1119431
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Felony-Murder Mens Rea

Text: 29. As noted above, we explained in Ortega that in order for the felony murder doctrine to apply to a defendant, the State must prove that the defendant acted with the mens rea for at least second-degree murder. Ortega, 112 N.M. at 563, 817 P.2d at 1205 ([T]here must be proof that the defendant intended to kill (or was knowingly heedless that death might result from his conduct).); see also State v. Griffin, 116 N.M. 689, 695, 866 P.2d 1156, 1162 (1993) (The felony murder [mens rea] requirement is satisfied if there is proof that the defendant intended to kill, knew that his actions created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to the victim or another person ..., or acted in a manner greatly dangerous to the lives of others.). In other words, the mens rea necessary to support a conviction for another type of murder generally would also support a felony-murder conviction. Griffin, 116 N.M. at 695, 866 P.2d at 1162. 30. As a result of this mens-rea requirement, our felony-murder rule is best described as elevating the crime of second-degree murder to first-degree murder when the murder is committed during the course of a dangerous felony. Ortega, 112 N.M. at 563, 817 P.2d at 1205. Therefore, Campos's contention that intoxication is a defense to felony murder is in essence a contention that intoxication is a defense to second-degree murder. We reject this contention.