All rights reserved. Levi Chavez came back the following week and did exactly that. And it was the third time the judge denied him. 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. 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. Its a good thing hes not a cop now, because he has no business being a cop, Serna said Monday. "You know the whole thing was so disgusting and such a disgrace. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Serna called seven other witnesses to testify. Jones was the lead investigator handling the death of Tera Chavez for the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said.Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. Prosecutors allege that he shot his wife, Tera Chavez, through the mouth on either Oct. 19, 20 or 21, 2007, in the couples home near Los Lunas and tried to make her death look like a suicide. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. APD, AG cracking down on serial shoplifter, 22 arrested in - KRQE She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. HUM0W%FWD ,X{8n`j.{_il;xQne9oK^T(gB5eVhmmvPZu]u^Z@V.>2XYi-&+n q m4mNpI P]-)8m !5;RTTAdfI;H.KDYBd"kgBYJi !GG@5*GG0Zaowi&.0D6L%pI Under a short cross-examination by McKay, Levi Chavez often grew testy. In 2007, Medina was promoted to the Lieutenant rank and remained there for 2 years. Market data provided by Factset. 'How to kill someone' - Albuquerque Journal NANCY: POLICE BELIEVE SOMEONE DOES KNOW WHO KILLED CARLA. OVER THE YEARS DETECTIVES INTERVIEWED A LOT OF PEOPLE, STILL NEARLY THREE DECADES LATER, NO ARRESTS. She basically said she wanted someone to love her," Nick Wheeler testified last Friday. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Isaiah Matthew Chavez, 29, of Albuquerque, New Mexico has been charged in a criminal complaint with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person under indictment. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, Prosecutors alleged that he killed Tera around 1 a.m. on Oct. 21, 2007 a Sunday by creeping up on her while she was likely asleep in bed inside the couples home near Los Lunas, shoving his APD-issued Glock 9 mm pistol into the back of her mouth and pulling the trigger once. News . or redistributed. Heather Chavez - Master Police.. - City of Albuquerque | ZoomInfo They also werent allowed to watch video of that deposition. Based on my experience the magazine release had to be depressed after that firing sequence was completed, he said. Farmington police still searching for answers in murder case 27 - KOAT Levi Chavez did, indeed, marry Heather Chavez (ne Hindi) in the summer of 2008. 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. 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. Stores across the Metro are now employing armed private security guards with limited use of force as asset protection. xcbdg`b`8 $@@q1`: The following article appeared on page A1 of the Tuesday, June 2, 2013 edition of the Albuquerque Journal. Heather Chavez also testified that she never met or spoke to Tera Chavez. Levi was staying with his mother in October 2007, she testified today, during one of the couples estrangements. The jury found him not guilty. NANCY: OCTOBER 28, 1992, CARLA HAD NOT SHOWN UP TO WORK AT THE CONVENIENCE STORE. King had been an academy classmate of Police Chief Ray Schultz, who, in a tearful press conference after the killings, called it one of the saddest days in the history of the Albuquerque Police Department. Inside the department, former officers say, the deaths were a turning point: Officer safety became the order of the day. We can help with your case! 9,701 Followers, 2,680 Following, 7,903 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Heather Chavez (@heather_chav) But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. Twenty-four days after the 911 suicide call, which Levi Chavez made around 9 p.m. on Oct, 21, 2007, a text message popped up on his cellphone suggesting that a new marriage wasnt far off. He was accused of using his APD issued gun in 2007 to kill her and then staging it to look like a suicide. "She received multiple stab wounds." (Greg Sorber/Journal), Former Valencia County Detective Aaron Jones talks to the media on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, after Levi Chavez was found not guilty of murdering his wife Tera Chavez. Titleist Golf Bags 2021, heather chavez albuquerque police - heartbeatsivf.com Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said.Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. 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. 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. Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener, on cross-examination, asked Romero to confirm that she had left her marriage to Levi Chavez Sr. because of cheating, gambling and the debt he left her in. More from KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos, What Biden might try next if his student loan forgiveness, Bile acids and gut microbes could potentially treat, Should we bring back the dodo? He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. On cross-examination, Serna asked Garcia only one question: You didnt come to any professional conclusions that any of the surfaces you examined had been wiped clean, did you?, She replied: I could not determine that.. She used words such as lonely, scared and isolated.. The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-0 on March 15, 2021 to confirm Medinas appointment as Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. 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. >> SHE RECEIVED MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS. 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. Debra Romero, also a police officer in the department, admitted to having an affair with Levi Chavez. At issue is testimony that the magazine in the pistol was unseated after Teras body was found and what that means to the case. 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. The exchange led to several objections from Serna, and eventually a full-blown shouting match between Serna and Keener. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. But they didnt begin deliberating until Monday because of the late hour. Ex-wife Heather Hindi left him for alleged wife-killer Levi Chavez. 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. Levi Chavez was working as a police officer in October 2007 when he allegedly shot and killed Tera Chavez in the bed of their Los Lunas home with his police revolver. Instead, only the audio position of the recording was played in court. View the sitemap for the City of Albuquerque website. % Detective Heather Chavez's Retirement Cermony | By Farmington Police "I don't feel like speaking for his future.". . Chavez has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. gtag('config', 'UA-177193517-1'); Levi was initially charged Jason Chavez in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. The whole situation is just sick, she said through tears. Mark A. Radosevich, a well-known figure in New Mexico law enforcement since the early 1970s, testified as a firearms expert for prosecutors. View the Department Summary Sworn Personnel (as of July 29, 2022). This included partnerships with the schools, teachers and laws enforcement with a focused presentation of alcohol awareness to students. APDs mission is to build relationships through community policing that will lead to reduced crime and increased safety. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Levi Chavez - Wikipedia GallupARTS receives $400,000 grant for virtual project. << /Lang /MarkInfo << /Marked true >> /Outlines 6 0 R /PageLayout /OneColumn /Pages 5 0 R /StructTreeRoot 9 0 R /Type /Catalog >> In 2011, Medina was promoted to the rank of Commander. Theres nothing I would like to have them work other types of overtime rather than standing at a retail store, said Chief Medina. I've been in contact with him. With one clear, simple statement, Radosevich drove home the states contention that Tera Chavez could not have pulled the trigger herself. I didnt answer the call, Heather Chavez said. << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 902 >> Attorney Brad Hall, who represents Teras family in the civil suit, asked whether Levi Chavez had loaned his cellphone to anyone. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. (AP Photo/Albuquerque Journal, Adolphe Pierre-Louis). "She asked me if I would leave Samantha for her, and I told her no". Albuquerque Police Contact City of Albuquerque t|!iej@,RUAp*tG;^ppxu\>q 1T}|{U\x lX2pdRHB zg_h";*uJYUXd\.~|}wWI]'l+F Q~18OMU. John Chavez, age 35, a devoted and loving father, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. Family of woman killed in crash wants driver to be arrested All rights reserved. Prosecutors allege Levi Chavez shot Tera Chavez, 26, once in the mouth with his APD-issued Glock 9 mm pistol and tried to make it look like a suicide. 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. Steve Hindi : Public records about cops. 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. Since February, APD has made 15 felony arrests and 7 misdemeanor arrests for shoplifting. The City assumes no responsibility for the content of the material contained at that site or for the accuracy of any information that is found there. NANCY: CARLA HAD PUT UP A FIGHT. 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. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer State District Judge George P. Eichwald instructed the two to Quit arguing back and forth like kids.. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. THEY NEVER HAD CLOSURE. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Police officers will often tell you theres no such thing as a routine call when youre patrolling the streets. Tera Chavez was just 26 years old when she was found dead of a gunshot wound on October 22, 2007. He has pled not guilty. Mailing Address P.O. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. This proactive approach brought compliance rates in the Albuquerque area up to 95%. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. Before reading the verdict Judge George P. Eichwald admonished the gallery, saying he had observed a lot of animosity. Levi Chavez's current wife testifies - Albuquerque Journal probate, or family law case, contact Attorney Levi M. Chavez, II at 505-415-2640. Please God," Chavez responded. 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. The civil case will proceed as soon as state District Judge Ted Baca sets a date. Jones is the one who removed the gun from next to Teras body, and he testified at trial that he noted the magazine was unseated and that a bullet was in the firing chamber. Your email address will not be published. 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. The Gallup New Deal Art Virtual Museum has received another big boost from the National Endowment fo 'More time for sunshine.' Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. Alter Last Name Full Name Persons Count Share ; Chaves: Heather Chaves: 10: 19.36%: Garcia: Heather Garcia: 545: 6.34%: Martinez: . Jones showed Heather Chavez crime scene photos from Teras death scene and told her people were worried about her. Thats the past, Heather Chavez said in court Friday. Those separations, according to earlier testimony, were due in large part to Levi Chavezs longstanding habit of cheating on Tera. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. 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. Heather Chavez - Public Records - ClustrMaps.com "Can you touch her? 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. 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. Another, Athena Padilla was arrested on March 9, was charged with 10 shoplifting incidents with a value close to $19,000. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. View Heather Hindi's record in Albuquerque, NM including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. ) Heather's current home is located at Albuquerque, NM. Get Directions Google Map Contact Information Position: Office of the Chief Phone: 505-768-2200 Physical Address 400 Roma NW Albuquerque New Mexico 87102. 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. 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. 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. 77 0 obj Our Department City of Albuquerque 11/21/2022 12:47 AM. Contact Number (505) ***-**** Engage via Phone. Their exhibits also included Teras diary and two notes a handwriting expert said she had written which the defense characterized as suicide notes and prosecutors described as evidence that Tera was ready to move on from her relationship with Levi Chavez all of which were found in the couples home. City questions prominent non-profit's hire of ex-cop who was - KRQE That was the whole thing that made me upset. Perea, a former APD officer, was sharing a police vehicle with Levi Chavez on Oct. 19 and 20. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ITS A HEAVY WEIGHT TO CARRY. New Mexico State Police, Albuquerque Police Department, and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and recently added representatives from the U.S. Drug . Heather Chavez is a Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. >> IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG TIME. She was unsuccessful, but Levi later showed up at her home in Los Lunas shortly after 8 p.m. Romero testified that by then, she had learned that Tera didnt go to work at Style America that day, and that she hadnt called in sick, as she had the day before. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal), Former APD officer Levi Chavez, right, gets a hug from his attorney David Serna after the jury in the murder trial against him returned a verdict of not guilty on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. Brookreson testified there also were several Web searches for Jones. Brookreson also examined Chavezs APD-issued laptop, according to his testimony. Upon returning to Albuquerque, she attended Teras funeral, she testified, as did many other APD officers. << /Filter /FlateDecode /S 36 /O 90 /Length 79 >> She lives with her family in Phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records. 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. The defense from the moment Levi Chavez called 911 around 9 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2007 to say Tera had shot herself in the head has contended that the 26-year-old took her own life as she reached a desperate level of depression that had largely been driven by her husbands many extramarital affairs. The two exchanged seven telephone calls on May 12 of that year, according to cellphone records investigators found under a mattress Tera Chavezs body was lying on. NOBODY THUS FAR HAS HAD TO PAY FOR THIS CRIME. There was no solid evidence one way or the other., During the interview, the woman got emotional. CHAVEZ FOUND NOT GUILTY - Albuquerque Journal Upon his acquittal, Levi dedicated his life to fighting for the falsely accused. 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. She still has a brother that lives here locally. That witness, Rose Slama, also testified that she told Levi Chavez about his wifes allegations. She graduated with honors from University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine in 2007. Levi Chavezs attorney, David Serna, will begin his cross-examination of Brookreson on Monday. 76 0 obj ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Three years after being acquitted in a high profile murder trial, former Albuquerque Police Department officer Levi Chavez After skipping out on his financial obligations to the Rio Rancho police department, Albuquerque Aviation police hired Chavez. 73 0 obj (Adolphe Pierre-Louis-Journal), Former APD officer Levi Chavez, center, hugs family members after being found not guilty of murder on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. He. Also, a new bullet was in the Glocks firing chamber when law enforcement arrived at the Chavezes home. SHE HADNT CONTACTED ANYBODY. THEY KNEVER KNEW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. Contact. Its really hard to get your pulse on shoplifting numbers because a lot of companies dont even report things to the police, Chief Medina said. Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. stream << /Linearized 1 /L 38845 /H [ 955 163 ] /O 76 /E 36564 /N 1 /T 38217 >> Mmmm detective Chavez with homicide, the text read. And to release the magazine from its seated position, five pounds of pressure must be applied to a release button located on the left side of the handle near the trigger guard, he said. 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. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, On July 5, 2008, half of the desire she expressed in the text came true. All the children are aware of who Tera was, Heather Chavez said, and they even celebrate her birthday. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. . BERNALILLO, New Mexico The monthlong criminal trial and all its salacious stories of law officer affairs and a blundering investigation are over, but a civil trial looms for a former Albuquerque policeman acquitted of killing his depressed wife with his department-issued gun. Published: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:05AMUpdated: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:41AM. I couldve been a better parent and recommended that it was in the best interest that they not be together, she said. Heather Chavez said she was helping move Tera Chavez's items out of the Los Lunas home in the weeks after the funeral. This comes as the number of cases continues to rise and the offenses more and more violent. Chavez was found not guilty of murdering his wife Tera. (Greg Sorber/Journal). 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. Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, University of New Mexico Hospital launching health care listening tour, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. The jury learned Friday that underneath the mattress on which Tera. endobj Chavez said he hadnt, and Hall asked whether he knew that cellphone records showed his phone in Los Lunas on Friday Oct. 19. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. Georgetown University Diploma, Download the Albuquerque Police Department's Organizational Chart. Engage via Email. At one point on Monday, Serna took the gun, which was not loaded, turned it upside down and pointed it toward himself. In 2014, Medina retired from the Albuquerque Police Department and shortly thereafter became the Chief of Police for the Pueblo of Laguna. 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. Published: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 3:53PMUpdated: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 11:21PM, #foogallery-gallery-0 .fg-image { Radosevich spent most of his time on the stand Monday answering questions from Senior Trial Attorney Bryan McKay about what has become one of the trials most important and contested points: Whether Tera Chavez could have, as the defense contends, shot herself in October 2007 with her husbands service pistol. 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. They have also lived in Taos, NM and New York, NY. He continued his education, attending the Police School of Staff and Command with Northwestern University. Albuquerque Chief of Police Harold Medina. That would have been after she moved out of the home she shared with Steve Hindi, according to her testimony. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Levi M. Chavez, II, Esq. 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. "There never was a case against Levi Chavez," Serna said. Tera Chavez's Death: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com "Justice was not served," Joseph Cordova, the father of Tera Chavez, said after listening to the verdict with his wife. 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? Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. endobj Chavez enrolled as a student at the University of California at Berkeley, studying writing and literature as part of the program in English literature offered there.
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