Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. Serna also has worked feverishly to discredit Jones, describing the former detective as a conspiracy theorist, an unethical investigator and a man who has twice been fired from law enforcement agencies. Required fields are marked *. Chavez has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. 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. 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. Other stores are installing LOT-COP Security Camera Towers to aid in this deterrence effort. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. I told you guys that from the beginning., After an intense walk out of the courthouse surrounded by cameras, reporters and family, Levi Chavez arrived at his car. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. Chavez has never been charged with any wrongdoing. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, "Justice was not served," Joseph Cordova, the father of Tera Chavez, said after listening to the verdict with his wife. For non-emergency police calls, call 505-242-COPS. Romero says Chavez was with her for part of the weekend when his wife was shot. "I can't look at her. 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. The 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. 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. They are very private, and we just didnt pal around together.. She still has a brother that lives here locally. Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. ", Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Currently, the Maxwell Museum is displaying 'Conversing with the Land: Native North American Baskets of the Maxwell Museum Collections,' through Jan. 10, 2024. Now they are calling on Albuquerque P Instead, the jury was instructed that Farrelly had received an anonymous call from the Style America where Tera worked alleging insurance fraud by Levi Chavez, and that he conducted an investigation which concluded that the allegations were unfounded.. Wealthy and poor, black and white, young and old we all have constitutional rights. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. One reporter asked what he plans to do now, Im going to go to church, pray my rosary and thank my Virgin Mary.. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. All Rights Reserved. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. All rights reserved. The other half of Heather Chavezs wish a move to the APD homicide unit never came to pass. Under a short cross-examination by McKay, Levi Chavez often grew testy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the. Download the Albuquerque Police Department's Organizational Chart. He. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. In 2011, the Albuquerque police officer was accused of murder. ther A Pratt-Chavez, MD, is a Pediatric Medicine specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tera Chavez died on 22nd October 2007 at Los Lunas, New Mexico, United States, she was 26 years old during her time of death and according to the report she died from a gunshot wound from her husband's service weapon. 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. Published: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:05AMUpdated: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:41AM. Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. Because we are targeting the worst of the worst we are finding and building other criminal cases, Attorney General Hector Balderas said. But they didnt begin deliberating until Monday because of the late hour. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. "She received multiple stab wounds." << /Annots 92 0 R /Contents [ 77 0 R 78 0 R 79 0 R 80 0 R 81 0 R 82 0 R 83 0 R 84 0 R ] /CropBox [ 0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0 ] /Group 108 0 R /MediaBox [ 0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0 ] /Parent 5 0 R /Resources << /ColorSpace << /CS0 95 0 R /CS1 96 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS0 97 0 R >> /Font << /TT0 99 0 R /TT1 101 0 R /TT2 103 0 R /TT3 105 0 R >> /XObject << /Im0 88 0 R /Im1 89 0 R /Im2 90 0 R >> >> /Rotate 0 /StructParents 0 /Tabs /S /Type /Page >> NANCY: POLICE BELIEVE SOMEONE DOES KNOW WHO KILLED CARLA. He was honored as the Uniformed Officer of the month as a patrol officer three times. However, he conceded that it was plausible.. Dash Dash World Controls, 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? Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, And it was the third time the judge denied him. (Dean Hanson/Journal) 1:48 p.m. BERNALILLOTwenty-four days after Levi Chavez called. (a.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",n,!1),e.addEventListener("load",n,!1)):(e.attachEvent("onload",n),a.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",function(){"complete"===a.readyState&&t.readyCallback()})),(n=t.source||{}).concatemoji?c(n.concatemoji):n.wpemoji&&n.twemoji&&(c(n.twemoji),c(n.wpemoji)))}(window,document,window._wpemojiSettings); window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; HER BOSS WENT TO HER HOUSE. Where does medical cannabis go from here? He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The attorney general and the Albuquerque Police Department are cracking down on serial shoplifters and organized retail crime. He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. On Oct. 28, 1992, a Farmington woman was brutally murdered. During testimony on Friday, she said she was referring to herself in the text. That witness, Rose Slama, also testified that she told Levi Chavez about his wifes allegations. 11/21/2022 12:47 AM. On Oct. 21 of that year a Sunday Romero tried several times to call her son to set up a lunch date, according to her testimony. 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. So Eichwald ruled that Farrellys testimony would be too prejudicial toward Levi Chavez. These initiatives led to the continued success in the reduction of property crimes in the Southwest Area Command. endobj CONTACT: 505-415-2640. 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. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-0 on March 15, 2021 to confirm Medinas appointment as Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. 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. Tell me if she feels cold?" He stopped McKay on a few occasions and asked whether he could talk to my jury.. Serna said his client was a victim of an overly aggressive former detective and "lies" from local media outlets, although none reported Serna ever requesting for a retraction or correction from any stories since 2007. !function(e,a,t){var n,r,o,i=a.createElement("canvas"),p=i.getContext&&i.getContext("2d");function s(e,t){var a=String.fromCharCode;p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,e),0,0);e=i.toDataURL();return p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,t),0,0),e===i.toDataURL()}function c(e){var t=a.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=t.type="text/javascript",a.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(t)}for(o=Array("flag","emoji"),t.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},r=0;r> /Outlines 6 0 R /PageLayout /OneColumn /Pages 5 0 R /StructTreeRoot 9 0 R /Type /Catalog >> New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer Shaver had led the department for the preceding 23 years, after starting his career as a patrol officer in 1933. 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. 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. or redistributed. 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. Testimony and argument in the trial lasted five weeks. Carla Helmer hadn't shown up for work at a Farmington convenience store for three days. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Police officers will often tell you theres no such thing as a routine call when youre patrolling the streets. Judge Eichwald ultimately allowed the question, to which Radosevich answered: At the time (Jones) recovered it, yes, Jones said the magazine was unseated. 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. Many of the other defense exhibits were photographs, as well. THEY KNEVER KNEW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. In the fall of 2009, he transferred to the Property Crimes Division. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. He strongly believes in working with the community to educate and have an understanding of community-oriented policing. NOBODY THUS FAR HAS HAD TO PAY FOR THIS CRIME. Georgetown University Diploma, Serna, seeking on cross-examination to get details of Levi and Heathers life on the record, asked her to describe the blended family that includes Tera and Levis two children, Heathers child from a previous marriage and the couples 2-year-old son. 77 0 obj 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. He has pled not guilty. stream What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored him with an individual Heros Award for his work in preventing underage drinking in 2007. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. They werent told that tens of instances in which Levi Chavezs attorneys asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination had been excised from the deposition. Heather Chavez is a Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. Box 1293 One Civic Plaza Room 7057 Albuquerque New Mexico 87103. 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. Medina was promoted to Sergeant in 2004 where he became involved with the Albuquerque Police Department Party Patrol. All the children are aware of who Tera was, Heather Chavez said, and they even celebrate her birthday. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! stream Not among them was APD officer Steve Hindi, to whom Heather was married at the time. Dr. Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The donut shop has announced it has closed its South Valley and Northeast Heights locations. %PDF-1.7 FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN GO TO M. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades.On Oct. 28, 1992, a Farmington woman was brutally murdered.Carla Helmer hadn't shown up for work at a Farmington convenience store for three days. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. Attorney Brad Hall, who represents Teras family in the civil suit, asked whether Levi Chavez had loaned his cellphone to anyone. ;$X@UqD BXHp 9@B$T001VlHE 5 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 His much-anticipated testimony did not appear to help either side, as Perea said that he couldnt be sure where Levi Chavez was for the entirety of the two swing shifts. That case is scheduled to be heard in state District Court in Bernalillo County and has been on hold while the criminal trial was held. Another, Athena Padilla was arrested on March 9, was charged with 10 shoplifting incidents with a value close to $19,000. 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. Tera's family said he did it to. She said some jurors even cried during deliberations. NANCY: HER BOSS KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND CALLED POLICE. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. That leaves Levi Chavez as the sole defendant in the civil matter, which had been on hold since his indictment to allow the criminal case to reach a conclusion. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KOAT-TV. Chavez's 911 call to report his wife's death was played in court. gtag('config', 'UA-177193517-1'); Levi was initially charged Jason Chavez in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I wasnt worried.. He introduced and developed several first-time programs that emphasized on outreach to local youth. That would have been after she moved out of the home she shared with Steve Hindi, according to her testimony. Weve made it clear to them: Teras your mother, and she loves you,' she said of Tera and Levis children. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. Chavez was accused of killing Tera in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. , VIDEO: Giant I-40 light poles sway in strong ABQ, Taxidermy birds used to make drones at New Mexico, PHOTOS: Storm leaves parts of state covered in snow, PHOTOS: Winter storm moves through NM leaving snow, PHOTOS: Storm causes snowy, icy roads across New, Map: New Mexico Veterans Monuments and Memorials, 13 Broadcast Pl SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Prosecutors, he said, had not presented enough evidence for any reasonable finder of fact to convict his client. Serna has sought to poke holes in those assessments. 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. The Levi Chavez case wont end with todays verdict. The whole situation is just sick, she said through tears. Engage via Email. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. Heather Chavez is 46 years old and was born on 06/04/1976. LeviChavezLaw . Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Levi was staying with his mother in October 2007, she testified today, during one of the couples estrangements. "Can you touch her? 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. << /Type /XRef /Length 87 /Filter /FlateDecode /DecodeParms << /Columns 4 /Predictor 12 >> /W [ 1 2 1 ] /Index [ 72 37 ] /Root 74 0 R /Size 109 /Prev 38218 /ID [] >> 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. HE HAD TO WATCH HIS PARENTS PASSED AWAY. During these 19 months, property crimes saw double-digit reductions in many areas. Heather Chavez, Albuquerque Police Department, NM, (505) 768-2404, Heather E Hindi, age 44, Albuquerque, NM 87120 View Full Report Known Cities: Albuquerque NM, 87120, Albuquerque NM 87107, Albuquerque NM 87102 Possible Relatives: Anna M Chavez, Christopher R Chavez, David R She practices in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has the professional credentials of MD . The civil case will proceed as soon as state District Judge Ted Baca sets a date. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. 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. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. The official website for the City of Albuquerque. 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. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. This comes as the number of cases continues to rise and the offenses more and more violent. 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. 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.