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. 77 0 obj Chavez was accused of killing Tera in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. Someone had to press that magazine release after (the Glock) was fired, he said. !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> IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG TIME. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. At issue is testimony that the magazine in the pistol was unseated after Teras body was found and what that means to the case. 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. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Police officers will often tell you theres no such thing as a routine call when youre patrolling the streets. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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.. When a shot is fired, provided the magazine is locked in place (also called seated), the semiautomatic pistol then automatically pulls another bullet from the magazine and loads it into the guns chamber. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Brookreson testified there also were several Web searches for Jones. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - The family of 33-year-old Erika Chavez, the Albuquerque woman who died in a car crash, said their lives will never be the same. Theres still a civil wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Teras family, to be decided in state District Court in Bernalillo County. 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. "I'm going to go to church, pray my Rosary and thank my Virgin Mary," Chavez said as he was crowded by reporters. Last Update. All rights reserved. Steve Hindi is a former boxer. Legal Statement. 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. "She was upset. 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. the 911 dispatcher asked. Im not guilty. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The attorney general and the Albuquerque Police Department are cracking down on serial shoplifters and organized retail crime. 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. 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. Albuquerque Chief of Police Harold Medina. width: 640px;
Others, including Radosevich, have testified that, based on less-than-ideal crime scene photographs, the magazine appeared to have possibly been unseated.. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. They are very private, and we just didnt pal around together.. 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. Stores across the Metro are now employing armed private security guards with limited use of force as asset protection. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Serna has sought to poke holes in those assessments. 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. << /Lang /MarkInfo << /Marked true >> /Outlines 6 0 R /PageLayout /OneColumn /Pages 5 0 R /StructTreeRoot 9 0 R /Type /Catalog >> 73 0 obj or redistributed. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? In considering everything, I do not believe that the magazine was seated at the time this weapon was recovered, he said. Theres nothing I would like to have them work other types of overtime rather than standing at a retail store, said Chief Medina. 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. Contact Number (505) ***-**** Engage via Phone. 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. On Tuesday, the court heard from police officer Regina Sanchez, who admitted to having an affair with Chavez in 2006. Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. 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. 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. Download the Albuquerque Police Department's Organizational Chart. "What did I tell you?" (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. One reporter asked what he plans to do now, Im going to go to church, pray my rosary and thank my Virgin Mary.. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. Ex-New Mexico police officer acquitted of wife's murder Associated Press July 16, 2013: Levi Chavez, right, a former Albuquerque police officer, gets a hug from his wife, Heather. Other stores are installing LOT-COP Security Camera Towers to aid in this deterrence effort. Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the. Its a good thing hes not a cop now, because he has no business being a cop, Serna said Monday. Serna objected to the question, and Eichwald sustained the objection. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Based on my experience the magazine release had to be depressed after that firing sequence was completed, he said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. gtag('config', 'UA-177193517-1'); Levi was initially charged Jason Chavez in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 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. No matter what you choose, not everyone is going to be happy.. 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. That witness, Rose Slama, also testified that she told Levi Chavez about his wifes allegations. In the winter of 2014, after serving 20 years of being a sworn officer, Medina retired from the Albuquerque Police Department as a Commander. And why is it on my car? 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. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. How long will the ski season last in New Mexico? 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. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. The call did not go to voicemail. >> SHE HAD NOT BEEN TO WORK IN THREE DAYS. After more than 10 hours of deliberations, a jury acquitted Levi Chavez, 32, of murdering of his wife, 26-year-old Tera Chavez, in 2007 and trying to make the hairdresser's death look like a suicide. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. Nobody answered, so she called police.Officers showed up and found Carla's body inside. Tera Chavez was just 26 years old when she was found dead of a gunshot wound on October 22, 2007. Now they are calling on Albuquerque P Tell me if she feels cold?" On July 5, 2008, half of the desire she expressed in the text came true. 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. Serna said he doubted that Chavez would want return to the state's largest police department. Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. She graduated with honors from University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine in 2007. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. Get Directions Google Map Contact Information Position: Office of the Chief Phone: 505-768-2200 Physical Address 400 Roma NW Albuquerque New Mexico 87102. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. 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. Levi Chavez has admitted to having girlfriends while he was married, including APD officer Heather Hindi, whom he married within days of her divorce from another APD officer Despite being sued by the city of Rio Rancho for reimbursement for his police certification costs, Schultz hires Chavez even after strong arguments by APD Academy personnel objecting to his hiring. He introduced and developed several first-time programs that emphasized on outreach to local youth. Read More. In December of 2017, Medina was appointed to Deputy Chief for the Albuquerque Police Department and currently oversees the Field Services Bureau. 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. Also in court on Friday, jurors heard a heavily redacted recording of the deposition Levi Chavez gave in the civil case. Thats also where she was working on Oct. 8, 2007, the first time she met Levi Chavez, according to her testimony. Thats when she married Levi Chavez and took his last name, according to testimony she gave Friday morning at the end of the third week in her husbands murder trial. 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. Many stores are now keeping a log of names and videos of repeat offenders. 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. She first pursued her career in writing in college. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! We can help with your case! 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. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. endstream Serna told Chavez. 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. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. (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. Levi Chavezs attorney, David Serna, will begin his cross-examination of Brookreson on Monday. Serna called seven other witnesses to testify. Heather Chavez is 46 years old and was born on 06/04/1976. 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. Shaver had led the department for the preceding 23 years, after starting his career as a patrol officer in 1933. 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. xc````` ]ep e1BU&lwYp3Y76fb`;RD" This comes as the number of cases continues to rise and the offenses more and more violent. Boycott Black Lives Matter, Your email address will not be published. Heather Chavez said she hadnt remembered those calls when she gave a deposition in a civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by Teras family against Levi. Pedro Taylor Football, 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. "You know the whole thing was so disgusting and such a disgrace. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. , 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. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. 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. 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. Heather Chavez said that, despite the appearance given in the text she sent Levi about taking his last name and more than 400 calls between the two from Oct. 8, 2007 to Dec. 12 of that year they did not begin a sexual relationship until late November or early December.. Their additional three locations remain open. 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. They deliberated all day Monday and began again at about 1 p.m. today. The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. All Rights Reserved. She still has a brother that lives here locally. Levi M. Chavez, II, Esq. 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. (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. They have also lived in Taos, NM and New York, NY. That was the whole thing that made me upset. He was honored as the Uniformed Officer of the month as a patrol officer three times. 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. Mark A. Radosevich, a well-known figure in New Mexico law enforcement since the early 1970s, testified as a firearms expert for prosecutors. Titleist Golf Bags 2021, 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. I've been in contact with him. Medina believes in strong customer service in order to create a program based on community policing. He started his police career in November of 1995, when he graduated from the Albuquerque Police Academy. Mary Chavez lives in Albuquerque, NM; previous city include Peralta NM. APDs mission is to build relationships through community policing that will lead to reduced crime and increased safety. The DNA belonged to both Tera and Levi Chavez, according to Williams. Mary Chavez is 73 years old and was born on 12/22/1947. The Levi Chavez case wont end with todays verdict. Associated persons: Lear Huntington, Caitlin Moya, Amanda M Reinhart, Danielle Reinhart, Leonard J . 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. Since February, APD has made 15 felony arrests and 7 misdemeanor arrests for shoplifting. Freed: Levi Chavez, right, a Get the help of an immigration lawyer in Albuquerque, NM, by contacting Cristina Chvez, Attorney at Law, LLC. Wealthy and poor, black and white, young and old we all have constitutional rights. 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. "She asked me if I would leave Samantha for her, and I told her no". And six days before Chavez called 911 in October 2007 to say his wife Tera Chavez had shot herself in the head, all of a sudden, there was a deletion of files, said officer Michael Brookreson, a digital forensic investigator for the Las Cruces Police Department. I couldve been a better parent and recommended that it was in the best interest that they not be together, she said. OVER THE YEARS DETECTIVES INTERVIEWED A LOT OF PEOPLE, STILL NEARLY THREE DECADES LATER, NO ARRESTS. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. He also focused on providing prevention and intervention education strategies to the local Albuquerque high school students.
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