The attorney general says these operations are partnerships with big box stores like Home Depot and Target. Eichwald instructed the Cordova family to leave the courtroom first after the verdict was read and asked Chavez family to wait a few minutes before departing. Former cop Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder. 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. Other stores are installing LOT-COP Security Camera Towers to aid in this deterrence effort. >> SHE STILL HAS A BROTHER THAT LIVES LOCALLY. The prosecutions primary theory on motive for murder was that Levi Chavez wanted to silence Tera as a potential witness against him regarding the truck. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer The following article appeared on page A1 of the Tuesday, June 2, 2013 edition of the Albuquerque Journal. Its a good thing hes not a cop now, because he has no business being a cop, Serna said Monday. The defense contends that Tera shot herself with her husbands Albuquerque Police Department-issued pistol. Heather Chavez, Albuquerque Police Department, NM, (505) 768-2404, "I can't look at her. Prosecutor Bryan McKay, who told jurors during closing arguments that Chavez used his department-issued gun to commit "cold-blooded, calculated, planned-out murder," declined to comment after the verdict. Self Service Car Washes Near Me, Also in court on Friday, jurors heard a heavily redacted recording of the deposition Levi Chavez gave in the civil case. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer endobj 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. She testified that she is currently assigned to the APD Crimes Against Children Unit. Freed: Levi Chavez, right, a Get the help of an immigration lawyer in Albuquerque, NM, by contacting Cristina Chvez, Attorney at Law, LLC. The Harwood Museum of Art's exhibition 'Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy' explores this history through archival photographs and contemporary art. IVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HIM. Jones showed Heather Chavez crime scene photos from Teras death scene and told her people were worried about her. 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. (Greg Sorber/Journal). Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. 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. During his time with Party Patrol he focused on decreasing illegal sales to underage youth. She graduated with honors from University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine in 2007. July 16, 2013: Levi Chavez, right, a former Albuquerque police officer, gets a hug from his wife, Heather Chavez, after being cleared of charges he murdered his estranged wife, Tera Chavez, in in 2007. I want to make sure that the general public understands that we are not targeting petty shoplifting or individuals who are shoplifting out of a need, we are targeting organized retail criminals, said Balderas. probate, or family law case, contact Attorney Levi M. Chavez, II at 505-415-2640. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. Boycott Black Lives Matter, Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He started his police career in November of 1995, when he graduated from the Albuquerque Police Academy. Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored him with an individual Heros Award for his work in preventing underage drinking in 2007. (AP Photo/Albuquerque Journal, Adolphe Pierre-Louis). Chavez has never been charged with any wrongdoing. Legal Statement. 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. Their additional three locations remain open. I've been in contact with him. 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. (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. Currently, the Maxwell Museum is displaying 'Conversing with the Land: Native North American Baskets of the Maxwell Museum Collections,' through Jan. 10, 2024. The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-0 on March 15, 2021 to confirm Medina's appointment as Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. Under often-contentious direct examination by Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener, Heather Chavez conceded that October 2007 wasnt the first time she had ever spoken to Levi Chavez. Nobody answered, so she called police.Officers showed up and found Carla's body inside. He asked Radosevich whether it would be possible to release the magazine after shooting oneself with the gun in that position. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. On Tuesday, the court heard from police officer Regina Sanchez, who admitted to having an affair with Chavez in 2006. A forensic pathologist testified earlier in the trial that Tera died almost immediately after one shot was fired into her mouth. But Romero said she never knew about her sons infidelity only that he and Tera were having problems., Your email is safe with us, we dont spam, Romero testified that she had regrets about guilting and coercing her son to remain married to Tera even though the two shouldve been divorced many years ago.. Following the verdict, emotional family members of Tera Chavez were quickly escorted out of Sandoval District Court, the result of an edict from state District Judge George Eichwald who sought to ease tensions between the two families. Instead, only the audio position of the recording was played in court. 9,701 Followers, 2,680 Following, 7,903 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Heather Chavez (@heather_chav) Radosevich said it would, but added several times that releasing the magazine required a deliberate, intentional action. Based on my experience the magazine release had to be depressed after that firing sequence was completed, he said. SHE HADNT CONTACTED ANYBODY. >> SHE HAD NOT BEEN TO WORK IN THREE DAYS. Can you bring your e-cigarette on a plane? (Greg Sorber/Journal), Defense attorney David Serna speaks to reporters outside the Sandoval County Courthouse on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, after his client Levi Chavez was found not guilty of murdering his wife Tera Chavez in October 2007. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. In total, police have valued the amount of recovered merchandise from all their arrests close to $100,000 from their latest sting this past month. Get Directions Google Map Contact Information Position: Office of the Chief Phone: 505-768-2200 Physical Address 400 Roma NW Albuquerque New Mexico 87102. In 2011, the Albuquerque police officer was accused of murder. During these 19 months, property crimes saw double-digit reductions in many areas. Levi Chavez cried at the defense table while his mother testified. Steve Hindi : Public records about cops. 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), 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. >> IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG TIME. On Jan. 15, 2008, Heather Chavez gave an interview to then-Detective Jones of VCSO. Legal Statement. He cried as he described finding Tera dead in the couples home and said he is a changed man who, after her death, spoke to priests in an effort to leave his philandering ways behind. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. Dr. Chavez is affiliated with Lovelace Medical Center. This included partnerships with the schools, teachers and laws enforcement with a focused presentation of alcohol awareness to students. Heinrich makes push on daylight Democratic senator from New Mexico partners Democratic senator from New Mexico partners with Republicans to reintroduce legislation in D.C. to make daylight saving time permanent. He stopped McKay on a few occasions and asked whether he could talk to my jury.. I wasnt worried.. Serna objected to the question, and Eichwald sustained the objection. 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. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. 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. . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Debra Romero, also a police officer in the department, admitted to having an affair with Levi Chavez. But the trial, which began two weeks ago, has offered more stories of affairs within the Albuquerque Police Department. Dash Dash World Controls, John enjoyed horseback riding with his sons and best friend and cousin On March 16, 2012 we broke the story (READ IT HERE) about how APD's current Deputy Chief Allen Banks was caught lying while under a sworn oath to tell the truth when he was testifying in the labor hearing involving former APD officer Russell Perea. 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. 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. Others, including Radosevich, have testified that, based on less-than-ideal crime scene photographs, the magazine appeared to have possibly been unseated.. I didnt answer the call, Heather Chavez said. Chavez was accused of killing Tera in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. Medina was promoted to Sergeant in 2004 where he became involved with the Albuquerque Police Department Party Patrol. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Prosecutors allege that he killed Tera in the couples Los Lunas home on either Oct. 19, 20 or 21, 2007 and tried to make her death look like a suicide. You can cut the tension with a knife in here, Eichwald said. I didnt speak with her.. Dr. Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. But when Albuquerque Police For non-emergency police calls, call 505-242-COPS 311 COMMUNITY CONTACT CENTER The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. He said in 2009 at the deposition that Thursday Oct. 18, 2007 was the last time he was there until Sunday night Oct. 21, when he says he discovered Teras body. The city of Albuquerque already has paid Teras family $230,000 to settle claims against itself and APD in the civil case. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. What is mud rain? They say Chavez was having an affair with Albuquerque police officer Nick Wheeler in the months before her death. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. Steve Hindi is a former boxer. Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. ;$X@UqD BXHp 9@B$T001VlHE 5 << /Filter /FlateDecode /S 36 /O 90 /Length 79 >> With one clear, simple statement, Radosevich drove home the states contention that Tera Chavez could not have pulled the trigger herself. 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? Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. endstream [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. endstream Earlier Monday, retired New Mexico Crime Lab fingerprint identification expert Shirley Garcia also testified. Heather Chavez is a Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} They deliberated all day Monday and began again at about 1 p.m. today. 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? 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. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, Blastocyst culture and Blastocyst embryo transfer, Fertility consultation and fertility treatment planning. Chavez was charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering in an April 2011 indictment. Email. Serna called seven other witnesses to testify. Former Albuquerque Police Officer Levi Chavez enters court on June 13, 2013 in Bernalillo, N.M. Dean Hanson/The Albuquerque Journal/AP Photo, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 75 0 obj Serna will begin putting defense witnesses on the stand today. He had come to the her office to schedule a time to shadow Heather, according to her testimony, meaning she would show him the ropes of detective work in the unit. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. Another, Athena Padilla was arrested on March 9, was charged with 10 shoplifting incidents with a value close to $19,000. Tell me if she feels cold?" New Mexico State Police, Albuquerque Police Department, and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and recently added representatives from the U.S. Drug . Chavez's 911 call to report his wife's death was played in court. Thats the past, Heather Chavez said in court Friday. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. State District Judge George P. Eichwald essentially gutted that theory when he barred Farrellys testimony after a motion from Serna. New Mexico weavers keeping tradition alive, 1 injured in Bernalillo County deputy-involved crash, Mortgage rates have little reason to fall in March. Mark A. Radosevich, a well-known figure in New Mexico law enforcement since the early 1970s, testified as a firearms expert for prosecutors. OFFICERS FOUND HER BODY INSIDE. 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. On cross-examination by Serna, Radosevich testified that he also observed what appeared to be blood stains on the magazine that likely couldnt have gotten there had the magazine been seated. Repeatedly throughout the trial and again on Thursday Serna has said Levi Chavez had last been in Los Lunas on Oct. 19. Georgetown University Diploma, or redistributed. Please God," Chavez responded. << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 902 >> These initiatives led to the continued success in the reduction of property crimes in the Southwest Area Command. Jurors nine women and three men received the case shortly after 5 p.m. Friday following closing arguments by defense attorney David Serna and prosecutors Anne Keener and Bryan McKay. Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. There was a lot the jury didnt hear, too, because of bitter pretrial wrangling much of which shook out in favor of the defense. Perea, who initially asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, has been granted immunity for his testimony. Serna told Chavez. Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. Carla Helmer hadn't shown up for work at a Farmington convenience store for three days. 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. (Greg Sorber/Journal), Tera Chavez 's parents, Theresa and Joseph Cordova, leave the Sandoval County Courthouse on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, after Levi Chavez was found not guilty of murdering their daughter. He was honored as the Uniformed Officer of the month as a patrol officer three times. Theres still a civil wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Teras family, to be decided in state District Court in Bernalillo County. De-extinction is a, Roundhouse Roundup: Paramilitary rules, youth parole, BCSO: Kids were living in dirty home containing drugs, Gun safety bill passes Senate, faces one more hurdle, Hobbs woman sentenced for stealing car with kids, Roswell PD: Woman steals, drives wrong-way to get, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. 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. I couldve been a better parent and recommended that it was in the best interest that they not be together, she said. ITS A HEAVY WEIGHT TO CARRY. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. 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.