Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. Prosecutors, he said, had not presented enough evidence for any reasonable finder of fact to convict his client. Ex-New Mexico police officer acquitted of wife's murder The defense contends the 26-year-old hair stylist took her own life because she was despondent over the couples failing marriage and Levi Chavezs many extramarital affairs. He stopped McKay on a few occasions and asked whether he could talk to my jury.. Titleist Golf Bags 2021, Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. First on the witness stand was Rita Romero, Levi Chavezs mother, who often testified through sobs as she told defense attorney David Serna how much she loved her former daughter-in-law, Tera Chavez. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal), Former APD officer Levi Chavez, second from right, hugs family members after being found not guilty of murder on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. The official website for the City of Albuquerque. Levi Chavez did, indeed, marry Heather Chavez (ne Hindi) in the summer of 2008. I've been in contact with him. THEY KNEVER KNEW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. Jones was the lead investigator handling the death of Tera Chavez for the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. She testified that she is currently assigned to the APD Crimes Against Children Unit. Levi Chavez called 911 around 9 p.m. that day, Oct. 21, 2007, to say his wife had shot herself in the head. Where does medical cannabis go from here? "What did I tell you?" The jury found him not guilty. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Carla Helmer hadn't shown up for work at a Farmington convenience store for three days. }, When asked by reporters for his reaction after the verdict, Levi Chavez said Im not surprised. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. He started his police career in November of 1995, when he graduated from the Albuquerque Police Academy. Curently, hes in the media headlines as Dateline NBC explored on The decade of the 1970s began for the department with the retirement of Chief Paul Shaver, the city's longest-serving police chief. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. Heather Chavez - Public Records - ClustrMaps.com It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. I didnt speak with her.. She first pursued her career in writing in college. In an indictment filed in April 2011 that charges Levi Chavez with first-degree murder and evidence tampering, prosecutors say he killed Tera in the couples home near Los Lunas on Oct. 19, 20 or 21, 2007. Portions of CA home hang over cliff after landslide, 1 killed amid turbulence event on business jet, UNM Hospital wants to know publics feedback. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. Pedro Taylor Football, Keener pressed Heather Chavez on a statement she made during her deposition that her sexual relationship with Levi Chavez began in a car. Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly not injured after their vehicle rolled in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning in Northeast Albuquerque. Albuquerque Police Contact City of Albuquerque Within two months of her death, he was engaged to a former colleague at the Albuquerque Police Department, Heather Hindi, and they were married a few months later, PEOPLE wrote. Debra Romero, also a police officer in the department, admitted to having an affair with Levi Chavez. Dr. Chavez works in Albuquerque, NM and 1 other location and specializes in Obstetrics & Gynecology. According to testimony earlier in the trial, he was exchanging text messages 24 days after the 911 call with another APD officer about the two getting married. Mark A. Radosevich, a well-known figure in New Mexico law enforcement since the early 1970s, testified as a firearms expert for prosecutors. stream Family of woman killed in crash wants driver to be arrested Asked if he would try to get his old job back with the Albuquerque Police Department, Chavez blurted out a date but declined to say what that date meant. Dr. Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2007, Medina was promoted to the Lieutenant rank and remained there for 2 years. State District Judge George P. Eichwald essentially gutted that theory when he barred Farrellys testimony after a motion from Serna. Serna has sought to poke holes in those assessments. City of Albuquerque goes to court to shut down City says the property puts the community at risk, but owner says it's unfair to blame businesses for Albuquerque crime and homelessness, Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast Albuquerque, University of New Mexico Hospital launching health care listening tour, Support for families: Nonprofit that helps people who are homeless gets mattress donation, Where does medical cannabis go from here? Anyone with information on Beccas identity is encouraged to contact Detective Heather Chavez of the Albuquerque Police Department at 505-768-2404 or hcchavez@cabq.gov, or the FBI Violent Criminal Apprehension Program He was born in Albuquerque, and lived in Los Lunas. Harold Medina received a Bachelors degree with a double major in Biology and Criminology through the college of Arts and Science from the University of New Mexico in 1994. As McKay began to ask Radosevich whether Jones had passed along the information about the magazine not being secured into the butt of the pistol, Serna twice lodged objections, claiming such testimony from Radosevich would be hearsay. Thats the past, Heather Chavez said in court Friday. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal), Levi Chavez, center, leaves the Sandoval County Courthouse on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, after he was found not guilty of murdering his wife Tera Chavez in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. BERNALILLO The magazine that held the bullets for Levi Chavezs APD-issued Glock 9 mm pistol took center stage in a Sandoval County courtroom Monday morning as the former officers murder trial rolled into its fourth week of testimony. The evidence tampering charge stemmed from prosecutors allegation that Chavez then placed the gun and a shell casing near Teras body to make it appear that she had shot herself. On Oct. 28, 1992, a Farmington woman was brutally murdered. Email. The Levi Chavez case wont end with todays verdict. "I don't feel like speaking for his future.". . A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly not injured after their vehicle rolled in a two-vehicle, Hospital CEO Kate Becker says 'we really want to hear from our community about what, Dozens of Albuquerque Academy students volunteered to help unload and deliver the furnishings. Serna objected to the question, and Eichwald sustained the objection. ther A Pratt-Chavez, MD, is a Pediatric Medicine specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Currently, the Maxwell Museum is displaying 'Conversing with the Land: Native North American Baskets of the Maxwell Museum Collections,' through Jan. 10, 2024. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, Blastocyst culture and Blastocyst embryo transfer, Fertility consultation and fertility treatment planning. University of New Mexico Hospital launching health care listening Hospital CEO Kate Becker says 'we really want to hear from our community about what their health needs are' in order to prioritize resources. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis /Journal), Tera Chavez's brother Aaron Cordova, left, and her parents Theresa and Joseph Cordova, wait in a hallway at the Sandoval County District Court for the verdict in the murder trial of former APD officer Levi Chavez, who was accused of killing Tera in October of 2007 and making it look like a suicide. Wealthy and poor, black and white, young and old we all have constitutional rights. McKay and Keener admitted more than 220 exhibits into evidence, including the Glock handgun and more than 100 crime scene photographs. Serna admitted 29 exhibits into evidence, including an OMI photograph of Teras tongue removed from her body that showed a round burn mark near the back of the tongue. During testimony on Friday, she said she was referring to herself in the text. Synopsis: In 2005 an unknown person killed 26 year old Victoria Chavez and buried her in a mesa located adjacent to 118th Street SW in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Earlier Monday, retired New Mexico Crime Lab fingerprint identification expert Shirley Garcia also testified. APDs mission is to build relationships through community policing that will lead to reduced crime and increased safety. Dozens of Albuquerque Academy students volunteered New Mexico Supreme Court: Juveniles who plead can appeal Ruling stems from the case of Christopher Rodriguez, who was sentenced as an adult to 14 years in prison for his role in the Changes to city of Albuquerque's Sun Van service raise New process allows anybody to self-certify New process allows anybody to self-certify they are disabled. About Heather Chavez Heather is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeleys English literature program and has worked as a newspaper reporter, editor and contributor to mystery and television blogs. CONTACT: 505-415-2640. Police are asking people with legitimate tips to contact the Farmington Police Department detective's hotline at 505-599-1068 or CrimeStoppers in Farmington at 334-tips. A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly not injured after their vehicle rolled in a two-vehicle, Trying to figure out where the medical cannabis program stands now is up for debate, Hospital CEO Kate Becker says 'we really want to hear from our community about what. They included Levi Chavezs mother, the APD officer who was sharing a police car with Chavez the weekend Tera died (that officer testified with a promise of immunity after trying to exert his Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination to stay off the stand) two nationally known experts on crime scene reconstruction and firearms and a suicidologist, who said Tera had several of the risk factors associated with someone headed toward suicide. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. Prosecutors could wrap up the case by the end of the week and Levi Chavez's attorney tells ABC News his client might take the stand. One reporter asked what he plans to do now, Im going to go to church, pray my rosary and thank my Virgin Mary.. Heather Chavez Access and Control Lead Farmington, New Mexico, United States 242 followers 242 connections Join to view profile San Juan College San Juan College Activity Heidi and I had a. Mary Chavez is 73 years old and was born on 12/22/1947. Albuquerque. Heather Chavez - Access and Control Lead - San Juan College - LinkedIn Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. 72 0 obj Dash Dash World Controls, She said some jurors even cried during deliberations. Levi Chavez, an Albuquerque police officer, called 911 on the morning of October 22, 2007, to report that he'd come home to find his wife dead of a gunshot wound from his service weapon. "You know the whole thing was so disgusting and such a disgrace. Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. yG9e=I0IA pj1"J Levi Chavez's current wife takes the stand - KOAT 'How to kill someone' - Albuquerque Journal Farmington police still searching for answers in murder case 27 years later, CAN SOLVE THIS CASE. Former APD officer Levi Chavez gets a hug from his wife Heather Chavez after being found not guilty of murder on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. "There never was a case against Levi Chavez," Serna said. He told the 911 operator, Please tell them to hurry! and said shed committed suicide, PEOPLE reported. New Mexico State Police, Albuquerque Police Department, and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and recently added representatives from the U.S. Drug . At one point, state District Judge George P. Eichwald gave Romero a five-minute break from the witness stand when it appeared she may not be able to continue testifying. City of Albuquerque goes to court to shut down City says the property puts the community at risk, but owner says it's unfair to blame businesses for Albuquerque crime and homelessness, Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast Albuquerque, University of New Mexico Hospital launching health care listening tour, Support for families: Nonprofit that helps people who are homeless gets mattress donation, Where does medical cannabis go from here? https://www.cabq.gov/police/our-department, https://www.cabq.gov/police/images/chief-harold-medina_6798-8x10.jpg, Documents Related to APD Settlement Agreement, Documents Related to APD's Settlement Agreement, McClendon v. City of Albuquerque Settlement, Legal Notice: Destruction of Unclaimed Property, Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Backlog Reduction Project. They included: members of Teras family, her friends, a longtime New Mexico medical examiner, two veteran lawmen who testified as expert witnesses, APD officers who went to the Chavezes home after the 911 call, several of Levi Chavezs paramours including two who were fellow APD officers and his current wife, whom he began seeing almost immediately after Teras death. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Heather Chavez also testified that she never met or spoke to Tera Chavez. View the Department Summary Sworn Personnel (as of July 29, 2022). Medina was named interim Chief of Police in September 2020, and appointed by Mayor Keller to serve as permanent Chief of Police in March 2021. Heres how the Glock works, according to Radosevichs testimony and a demonstration he made for the jury with the gun used to kill Tera inside the Chavezes home near Los Lunas in October 2007: The magazine, a polymer piece that holds bullets, is inserted into the butt of the pistol. She left the courtroom in tears and came back in eight minutes later, still dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Steve Hindi is a former boxer. Meanwhile, in the courtroom, Chavez and family gathered to pray a "Hail Mary" until Serna grabbed Chavez by the arm to escort him through a crowded pathway of supporters and family members. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Their additional three locations remain open. I've been in contact with him. Man from Albuquerque faces federal firearm and ammunition possession Nobody thus far has had to pay for this crime," Chavez said.Police believe someone does know who killed Carla Felmer and Farmington police are still following leads in this case.Police are asking people with legitimate tips to contact the Farmington Police Department detective's hotline at 505-599-1068 or CrimeStoppers in Farmington at 334-tips. Our Department City of Albuquerque After Romero testified, Russell Perea took the witness stand armed with a promise if immunity granted by Eichwald in exchange for his testimony. Market data provided by Factset. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The civil case will proceed as soon as state District Judge Ted Baca sets a date. That witness, Rose Slama, also testified that she told Levi Chavez about his wifes allegations. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly not injured after their vehicle rolled in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning in Northeast Albuquerque. width: 640px; Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. Another, Athena Padilla was arrested on March 9, was charged with 10 shoplifting incidents with a value close to $19,000. Attorney Brad Hall, who represents Teras family in the civil suit, asked whether Levi Chavez had loaned his cellphone to anyone. View Heather Hindi's record in Albuquerque, NM including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. ) They have also lived in Taos, NM and New York, NY. Levi Chavez is a former police officer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who was charged with the 2007 death of his 26-year-old wife, Tera Chavez. Dr. Chavez is affiliated with Lovelace Medical Center. The whole situation is just sick, she said through tears. endobj In the winter of 2014, after serving 20 years of being a sworn officer, Medina retired from the Albuquerque Police Department as a Commander. The city of Albuquerque already has paid Tera's family $230,000 to settle claims against it and its police department in the civil case. Heather Chavez is a Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "She received multiple stab wounds." Levi was staying with his mother in October 2007, she testified today, during one of the couples estrangements. She still has a brother that lives here locally. Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said.Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. Detectives say Chavez wanted his wife dead because she threatened to reveal he staged the theft of a truck so he can collect insurance money. To provide or request additional information, please contact: - Det. heather chavez albuquerque police - heartbeatsivf.com Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Prosecutors argued over the word unfounded, noting that authorities had scheduled a grand jury to hear evidence in the alleged insurance fraud case, but Farrellys boss pulled the plug on that presentation at the last minute in 2010. Upon returning to Albuquerque, she attended Tera's funeral, she testified, as did many other. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, How long will the ski season last in New Mexico? NANCY: HER BOSS KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND CALLED POLICE. Witnesses also described a workplace where interoffice romance was rampant and said both Levi and Tera Chavez had affairs with members of the police force. News . It was the third time since the trial began on June 10 that Serna had asked for a ruling from Eichwald to throw the case out. xc````` ]ep e1BU&lwYp3Y76fb`;RD" Chavez was accused of killing Tera in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. NANCY: CARLA HAD PUT UP A FIGHT. Levi Chavez, in a surprise move, testified in his own defense. He also focused on providing prevention and intervention education strategies to the local Albuquerque high school students. June 26, 2013— -- A former Albuquerque, N.M., police officer is on trial, accused of killing his 26-year-old wife with his department-issued handgun and trying to make her death look like a suicide because, prosecutors say, she was about to report him for insurance fraud. Trying to figure out where the medical cannabis program stands now is up for debate one side saying the program is expected to University of New Mexico Hospital launching health care listening Hospital CEO Kate Becker says 'we really want to hear from our community about what their health needs are' in order to prioritize resources. Still -- nearly three decades later -- no arrests. In the days after Teras death, Romero said, her son was distraught, broken, fragile and unwilling to leave his room. Weve made it clear to them: Teras your mother, and she loves you,' she said of Tera and Levis children. Also on Tuesday the state called DNA expert Alanna Williams, who testified that she couldn't tell who fired the gun that killed Tera Chavez because there were two sets of DNA on the gun's handle. For non-emergency police calls, call 505-242-COPS. They are very private, and we just didnt pal around together.. Chavez has never been charged with any wrongdoing. Two major arrests have recently been made: one being Isaiah Martinez who is accused of organizing a mass theft of multiple sunglass huts across the city, with a value of $53,000 dollars back in October 2021. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. Chavez's 911 call to report his wife's death was played in court. One of Levi Chavezs lovers who was also a client of Teras at the Los Lunas Style America salon testified that Tera told her the truck hadnt really been stolen. Heather Chavez said she was helping move Tera Chavez's items out of the Los Lunas home in the weeks after the funeral. All the children are aware of who Tera was, Heather Chavez said, and they even celebrate her birthday. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer They say Chavez was having an affair with Albuquerque police officer Nick Wheeler in the months before her death. BERNALILLO A deep dive into Levi Chavezs personal laptop computer turned up an Internet search from November 2006 for how to kill someone, social media profiles of various women with whom he was having affairs and visits to pornography websites, according to testimony in the former APD officers murder trial on Friday. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. Dozens of Albuquerque Academy students volunteered New Mexico Supreme Court: Juveniles who plead can appeal Ruling stems from the case of Christopher Rodriguez, who was sentenced as an adult to 14 years in prison for his role in the Changes to city of Albuquerque's Sun Van service raise New process allows anybody to self-certify New process allows anybody to self-certify they are disabled. For example: the prosecution was barred from calling to the stand Richard Farrelly, a state Insurance Fraud Bureau agent who investigated allegations that Levi Chavez and his cop buddies had staged the theft of Chavezs pickup truck as part of an insurance scam. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. That was the whole thing that made me upset. Prosecutors Bryan McKay and Anne Keener declined to comment, as did the Tera Chavezs family, except for one comment from Jopseph Cordova, Tera father. Prosecutors allege that he killed Tera in the couple's Los Lunas home on either Oct. 19, 20 or 21, 2007 and tried to make. Contact. Romero says Chavez was with her for part of the weekend when his wife was shot. On cross-examination by David Serna, Heather Chavez said the two spoke on the phone that day because Levi had been dispatched to a child abuse call, and she was the on-call detective for Crimes Against Children. Pedro Taylor Football, Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the. City questions prominent non-profit's hire of ex-cop who was - KRQE Published: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 3:53PMUpdated: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 11:21PM, #foogallery-gallery-0 .fg-image { (Greg Sorber/Journal). 73 0 obj Romero described the relationship between Levis family and Teras family as nonexistent., We traveled in different circles, she said. She used words such as lonely, scared and isolated.. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer Upon returning to Albuquerque, she attended Teras funeral, she testified, as did many other APD officers. Also, a new bullet was in the Glocks firing chamber when law enforcement arrived at the Chavezes home. All of the discussion about whether the magazine was seated began with Aaron Jones, who was the lead detective who investigated Teras death for the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. THEY NEVER HAD CLOSURE. Heather Pratt-chavez is a pediatrician established in Albuquerque, New Mexico and her medical specialization is pediatrics with more than 14 years of experience. Perea, who initially asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, has been granted immunity for his testimony. He worked closely with community partners such as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, and was recognized by them in 2008 for the leadership of Party Patrol; his program won the Heros award for that year. During his career, he was a patrol officer for 9 years. Please God," Chavez responded. "I'm going to go to church, pray my Rosary and thank my Virgin Mary," Chavez said as he was crowded by reporters. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Albuquerque Police Contact. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. NANCY: POLICE BELIEVE SOMEONE DOES KNOW WHO KILLED CARLA. Brookreson said there was no way to tell who was responsible for the activity on the computer, which in addition to Levi Chavez also appeared to have been used by Tera Chavez and possibly one or both of the couples two young children.
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