5.9K views, 149 likes, 112 loves, 95 comments, 29 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Farmington Police Department - New Mexico: Detective Heather Chavez's Retirement Cermony (Adolphe Pierre-Louis /Journal), Former APD officer Levi Chavez clutches a rosary before being found not guilty of murder on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. 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. 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. Upon his acquittal, Levi dedicated his life to fighting for the falsely accused. Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer But Keener pointed to more phone records that showed a call from Teras phone to Heathers on Sept. 29, 2007. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. The defense claims Tera Chavez killed herself because she was depressed about her marriage. 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. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal), Tera Chavez's brother Aaron Cordova, left, her parents Theresa and Joseph Cordova, prosecutors Bryan McKay and Anne Keener, along with former Valencia County detective Aaron Jones, arrive at the Sandoval County District Court for the verdict in the murder trial of APD officer Levi Chavez on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. At issue is testimony that the magazine in the pistol was unseated after Teras body was found and what that means to the case. There was a lot the jury didnt hear, too, because of bitter pretrial wrangling much of which shook out in favor of the defense. IVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HIM. 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. . All rights reserved. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. Please call the 118th Street Task Force at 1-877-765-8273 , (505) 768-2450 or Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-STOP with any information you may have concerning this crime. Brookreson also examined Chavezs APD-issued laptop, according to his testimony. 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. Heather Chavez - Master Police.. - City of Albuquerque | ZoomInfo Please God," Chavez responded. Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration. 75 0 obj Wheeler added that Chavez never spoke of hurting herself during their time together. Over the years, detectives. "I don't feel like speaking for his future.". 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.. Man from Albuquerque faces federal firearm and ammunition possession Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque. 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. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. 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. stream Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. 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. At one point on Monday, Serna took the gun, which was not loaded, turned it upside down and pointed it toward himself. The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. 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. 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. He stopped McKay on a few occasions and asked whether he could talk to my jury.. On July 5, 2008, half of the desire she expressed in the text came true. Who Wrote She's Like The Swallow, ITS A HEAVY WEIGHT TO CARRY. 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. Pedro Taylor Football, He introduced and developed several first-time programs that emphasized on outreach to local youth. Market data provided by Factset. 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. But Romero also testified that Tera was essentially lost during her numerous separations from Levi. In considering everything, I do not believe that the magazine was seated at the time this weapon was recovered, he said. The jury learned Friday that underneath the mattress on which Tera. 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. He was honored as the Uniformed Officer of the month as a patrol officer three times. Heather Christine Chavez, 46 - Albuquerque, NM - MyLife They have also lived in Taos, NM and New York, NY. You can cut the tension with a knife in here, Eichwald said. But they didnt begin deliberating until Monday because of the late hour. Dash Dash World Controls, He was accused of using his APD issued gun in 2007 to kill her and then staging it to look like a suicide. Romero described the relationship between Levis family and Teras family as nonexistent., We traveled in different circles, she said. "She asked me if I would leave Samantha for her, and I told her no". For weeks, the murder trial captivated parts of central New Mexico as residents were fixated in barber shops, diners and grocery stores. State District Judge George P. Eichwald essentially gutted that theory when he barred Farrellys testimony after a motion from Serna. "I'm going to go to church, pray my Rosary and thank my Virgin Mary," Chavez said as he was crowded by reporters. The juror said the decision was difficult but unanimous. Upon returning to Albuquerque, she attended Teras funeral, she testified, as did many other APD officers. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. THEY KNEVER KNEW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. 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. They deliberated all day Monday and began again at about 1 p.m. today. Rebecca Sarker Sister Sunetra, This comes as the number of cases continues to rise and the offenses more and more violent. Information about the Albuquerque Police Department. 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. In December of 2017, Medina was appointed to Deputy Chief for the Albuquerque Police Department and currently oversees the Field Services Bureau. Many of the other defense exhibits were photographs, as well. He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. Prosecutors put 36 witnesses on the stand. The DNA belonged to both Tera and Levi Chavez, according to Williams. 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. 77 0 obj Their additional three locations remain open. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. 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. Weve made it clear to them: Teras your mother, and she loves you,' she said of Tera and Levis children. Levi Chavez's mother testifies - Albuquerque Journal t|!iej@,RUAp*tG;^ppxu\>q 1T}|{U\x lX2pdRHB zg_h";*uJYUXd\.~|}wWI]'l+F Q~18OMU. After Romero testified, Russell Perea took the witness stand armed with a promise if immunity granted by Eichwald in exchange for his testimony. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} He has pled not guilty. Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored him with an individual Heros Award for his work in preventing underage drinking in 2007. There was no solid evidence one way or the other., During the interview, the woman got emotional. yG9e=I0IA pj1"J Engage via Email. Albuquerque. 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. Albuquerque Chief of Police Harold Medina. The call did not go to voicemail. Guitarist Ottmar Liebert bringing his unique blend of music Ottmar Liebert and his band Luna Negra will perform with the New Mexico Philharmonic at Popejoy Hall on Saturday, March 11. The official website for the City of Albuquerque. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. %PDF-1.7 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The attorney general and the Albuquerque Police Department are cracking down on serial shoplifters and organized retail crime. Farmington police still searching for answers in murder case 27 - KOAT Keener pressed Heather Chavez on a statement she made during her deposition that her sexual relationship with Levi Chavez began in a car. Mary Chavez lives in Albuquerque, NM; previous city include Peralta NM. 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. 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. I couldve been a better parent and recommended that it was in the best interest that they not be together, she said. 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. Heather Chavez is 46 years old and was born on 06/04/1976. The tawdry details spilled in the trial and the questions it raised about the practices of the Albuquerque Police Department have further tarnished the agency, which is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department over a series of police shootings. NANCY: CARLA HAD PUT UP A FIGHT. Garcia said she couldnt find any identifiable prints on either the Glock, the magazine or any of the bullets she examined. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. Instead, only the audio position of the recording was played in court. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. In 2007, Medina was promoted to the Lieutenant rank and remained there for 2 years. And it was the third time the judge denied him. Levi Chavez Now: Where Is Tera Chavez's Husband 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? Law Offices of Levi M. Chavez, II, LLC 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. 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. The attorney general says these operations are partnerships with big box stores like Home Depot and Target. This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. During his time with Party Patrol he focused on decreasing illegal sales to underage youth. gtag('js', new Date()); 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. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. ) . Chavez was accused of killing his wife in October. Working with the attorney general office working with [District Attorneys] and ensuring that we are building strong prosecution upping charges from what used to be a larceny slash aggravated assault to now charging them with robbery, said Attorney General Hector Balderas. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. Nobody answered, so she called police.Officers showed up and found Carla's body inside. 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. 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. He has pled not guilty. APDs mission is to build relationships through community policing that will lead to reduced crime and increased safety. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. 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. GallupARTS receives $400,000 grant for virtual project. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. endstream New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer NANCY: POLICE BELIEVE SOMEONE DOES KNOW WHO KILLED CARLA. I didnt answer the call, Heather Chavez said. 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. Ex-wife Heather Hindi left him for alleged wife-killer Levi Chavez. Heather Chavez's Phone Number and Email. Chavez was charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering in an April 2011 indictment. However, he conceded that it was plausible.. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. She lives with her family in Phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records.
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