State v. Guerra, 278 P.3d 1031

Defendant Graciela Guerra was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for stabbing Brenda Guerra in an Alamogordo motel room.
The district court sentenced Guerra to life imprisonment, giving this Court direct appellate jurisdiction.
Guerra argues district court erred by denying a self-defense instruction.
She argues the court abused its discretion by excluding untimely-noticed expert testimony on incapacity to form specific intent.
She argues the court abused its discretion by excluding expert testimony about whether the victim’s wounds would have been fatal if treated.
She argues the court abused its discretion by excluding letters Guerra wrote while imprisoned and by denying a new-trial motion.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether the self-defense instruction should have been given	Guerra asserts evidence showed fear and threat.	Prosecution contends no reasonable basis for self-defense.	No self-defense instruction warranted.
Whether the psychologist testimony on incapacity to form specific intent was properly excluded	Defense contends Rule 5-602(F) notice was satisfied by constructive notice.	State argues late notice and lack of good cause justify exclusion.	Exclusion affirmed; no abuse of discretion.
Whether medical testimony that wounds were not inevitably fatal was admissible	Defense seeks relevant state-of-mind evidence.	Testimony would confuse issues and lacks probative value.	Exclusion upheld; no abuse of discretion.
Whether letters Guerra wrote in prison were erroneously excluded under completeness	Letters provide context to Guerra’s state of mind.	Other letters not admitted would distort context.	Exclusion affirmed; no abuse of discretion.
Whether denial of Guerra’s motion for a new trial was proper	Alternatively argues for relief due to evidentiary errors.	No trial errors requiring new trial.	No abuse of discretion; no new trial required.

State v. Rudolfo, 144 N.M. 305 (2008-NMSC-036) (self-defense elements; de novo standard of review)
State v. Lopez, 128 N.M. 410 (2000-NMSC-003) (self-defense must be reasonable; evidence viewed in light of fear and reasonableness)
State v. Sandoval, 150 N.M. 224 (2011-NMSC-022) (juror should decide self-defense when reasonable doubt exists)
State v. Coffin, 128 N.M. 192 (1999-NMSC-038) (deliberate intent distinguishes first- from second-degree murder)
State v. Barr, 146 N.M. 301 (2009-NMSC-024) (rule of completeness; caution against selective excerpting)
State v. Harper, 150 N.M. 745 (2011-NMSC-044) (discovery/notice sanctions; abuse requires prejudice or bad faith)