Required fields are marked *. Heather Chavez, Albuquerque Police Department, NM, (505) 768-2404, But Keener pointed to more phone records that showed a call from Teras phone to Heathers on Sept. 29, 2007. In case you missed it, here's a repeat of a major event that is unfolding in the Levi Chavez trial. He believes in principles that are focused on community and law enforcement partnerships, problem solving, and transforming the department to help create a strong bond of trust with the community. The civil case will proceed as soon as state District Judge Ted Baca sets a date. Man from Albuquerque faces federal firearm and ammunition possession Who Wrote She's Like The Swallow, 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. All rights reserved. She still has a brother that lives here locally. At issue is testimony that the magazine in the pistol was unseated after Teras body was found and what that means to the case. I've been in contact with him. 76 0 obj This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Attorney Brad Hall, who represents Teras family in the civil suit, asked whether Levi Chavez had loaned his cellphone to anyone. Thats also where she was working on Oct. 8, 2007, the first time she met Levi Chavez, according to her testimony. 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. "You know the whole thing was so disgusting and such a disgrace. That was the whole thing that made me upset. During the next 19 months through the use of community poling principles he created partnerships with community stakeholders, and increased internal communication and cooperation. I feel confident with my choice, but I cry for the family, she said. 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 Chavez's current wife testifies - Albuquerque Journal Stores across the Metro are now employing armed private security guards with limited use of force as asset protection. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? 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. NANCY: OCTOBER 28, 1992, CARLA HAD NOT SHOWN UP TO WORK AT THE CONVENIENCE STORE. 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.. All Rights Reserved. Legal Statement. The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-0 on March 15, 2021 to confirm Medina's appointment as Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. Jones also told her Levi Chavez had numerous affairs while he was married to Tera, but according to Keeners characterization of Heather Chavezs previous statements, she wasnt interested. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. 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 contents of any site or link not maintained by the City does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of the City of Albuquerque, its officials, agents or employees. There was a lot the jury didnt hear, too, because of bitter pretrial wrangling much of which shook out in favor of the defense. 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. 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. Serna called seven other witnesses to testify. 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.. Tera's family said he did it to. Thats the past, Heather Chavez said in court Friday. 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. Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. 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. APDs vision is an Albuquerque where citizens and the police department work together through mutual trust to build a thriving community. gtag('js', new Date()); Instead, only the audio position of the recording was played in court. Mark A. Radosevich, a well-known figure in New Mexico law enforcement since the early 1970s, testified as a firearms expert for prosecutors. One revelation did, however, come from the deposition: Levi Chavezs story has changed about the last time he was in Los Lunas before he called 911 to report his wifes death. However, he conceded that it was plausible.. He was honored as the Uniformed Officer of the month as a patrol officer three times. (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. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. 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. << /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 >> 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. He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. Upon his acquittal, Levi dedicated his life to fighting for the falsely accused. 9,701 Followers, 2,680 Following, 7,903 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Heather Chavez (@heather_chav) 75 0 obj Judge Eichwald ultimately allowed the question, to which Radosevich answered: At the time (Jones) recovered it, yes, Jones said the magazine was unseated. 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. 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. 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. NANCY: HER BOSS KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND CALLED POLICE. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Police officers will often tell you theres no such thing as a routine call when youre patrolling the streets. the 911 dispatcher asked. This included partnerships with the schools, teachers and laws enforcement with a focused presentation of alcohol awareness to students. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. McKay and Keener admitted more than 220 exhibits into evidence, including the Glock handgun and more than 100 crime scene photographs. Freed: Levi Chavez, right, a Get the help of an immigration lawyer in Albuquerque, NM, by contacting Cristina Chvez, Attorney at Law, LLC. }, When asked by reporters for his reaction after the verdict, Levi Chavez said Im not surprised. 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. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, MLB pitchers adjusting to quick pace of new pitch, Military prospects see NFL hopes rise after policy, Female minor league manager gets day as D-backs bench, Grosjean leads Andretti qualifying sweep for IndyCar, Bertuzzi sets up goal in Bruins 4-2 win over Rangers, New Mexico Gas Company leaders explain high winter gas bills, San Juan County sheriff who shot a dog tells his side of the story, New Mexico man sentenced for trafficking 45 lbs of meth from Mexico. abq.policecomplaints.info. "Justice was not served," Joseph Cordova, the father of Tera Chavez, said after listening to the verdict with his wife. 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. Detective Heather Chavez's Retirement Cermony | By Farmington Police He started his police career in November of 1995, when he graduated from the Albuquerque Police Academy. 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. Chavez was accused of killing his wife in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. 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. 72 0 obj (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. He was accused of using his APD issued gun in 2007 to kill her and then staging it to look like a suicide. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. Levi Chavez, in a surprise move, testified in his own defense. 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. Self Service Car Washes Near Me, 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. The other half of Heather Chavezs wish a move to the APD homicide unit never came to pass. 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. Chavez was found not guilty of murdering his wife Tera. In December of 2017, Medina was appointed to Deputy Chief for the Albuquerque Police Department and currently oversees the Field Services Bureau. Levi Chavez cried at the defense table while his mother testified. Many stores are now keeping a log of names and videos of repeat offenders. Deputies arrest man in attempted robbery that led to Bernalillo County deputies arrested a man Bernalillo County deputies arrested a man in an armed robbery-turned-gunfight that left his alleged accomplice dead last year in Southwest Albuquerque. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. Published: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 3:53PMUpdated: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 11:21PM, #foogallery-gallery-0 .fg-image { "What did I tell you?" 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. He introduced and developed several first-time programs that emphasized on outreach to local youth. In March 2020, Nob Hill mainstay Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She first pursued her career in writing in college. 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. After Romero testified, Russell Perea took the witness stand armed with a promise if immunity granted by Eichwald in exchange for his testimony. 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. I couldve been a better parent and recommended that it was in the best interest that they not be together, she said. OFFICERS FOUND HER BODY INSIDE. Prosecutors, he said, had not presented enough evidence for any reasonable finder of fact to convict his client. 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 received multiple stab wounds." Steve Hindi : Public records about cops. The call did not go to voicemail. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. Brookreson also examined Chavezs APD-issued laptop, according to his testimony. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. Their additional three locations remain open. 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. This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. CONTACT: 505-415-2640. He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Theres nothing I would like to have them work other types of overtime rather than standing at a retail store, said Chief Medina. Engage via Email. Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque. City questions prominent non-profit's hire of ex-cop who was - KRQE Tera Chavez's Death: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. 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. Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration. 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. He has pled not guilty. Wealthy and poor, black and white, young and old we all have constitutional rights. The Harwood Museum of Art's exhibition 'Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy' explores this history through archival photographs and contemporary art. But the trial, which began two weeks ago, has offered more stories of affairs within the Albuquerque Police Department. "I don't feel like speaking for his future.". 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. Email. Jones was the lead investigator handling the death of Tera Chavez for the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. He asked Radosevich whether it would be possible to release the magazine after shooting oneself with the gun in that position. He told the 911 operator, Please tell them to hurry! and said shed committed suicide, PEOPLE reported. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. , 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. Rebecca Sarker Sister Sunetra, 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. "She received multiple stab wounds." 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. Chavez was charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering in an April 2011 indictment. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Upon returning to Albuquerque, she attended Teras funeral, she testified, as did many other APD officers. For months we've been searching for a - Police Complaints | Facebook 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. 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. LeviChavezLaw . The defense contends the 26-year-old hair stylist took her own life because she was despondent over the couples failing marriage and Levi Chavezs many extramarital affairs. Levi Chavez, ex-New Mexico police officer, acquitted of wife's murder Where does medical cannabis go from here? 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. View Heather Hindi's record in Albuquerque, NM including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. ) Weve made it clear to them: Teras your mother, and she loves you,' she said of Tera and Levis children. She used words such as lonely, scared and isolated.. Heather Chavez - Public Records - ClustrMaps.com [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. . endobj Theres still a civil wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Teras family, to be decided in state District Court in Bernalillo County. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. Read More. Albuquerque Police Contact City of Albuquerque 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. << /Filter /FlateDecode /S 36 /O 90 /Length 79 >> Please God," Chavez responded. 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. 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. 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. Levi Chavez Now: Where Is Tera Chavez's Husband Today? stream Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. In 2014, Medina retired from the Albuquerque Police Department and shortly thereafter became the Chief of Police for the Pueblo of Laguna. Prosecutors could wrap up the case by the end of the week and Levi Chavez's attorney tells ABC News his client might take the stand. NANCY: CARLA HAD PUT UP A FIGHT. Levi M. Chavez, II, Esq. View the Department Summary Sworn Personnel (as of July 29, 2022). During testimony on Friday, she said she was referring to herself in the text. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The attorney general and the Albuquerque Police Department are cracking down on serial shoplifters and organized retail crime. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They deliberated all day Monday and began again at about 1 p.m. today. 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. (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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi. CHAVEZ FOUND NOT GUILTY - Albuquerque Journal At one point on Monday, Serna took the gun, which was not loaded, turned it upside down and pointed it toward himself. (Dean Hanson/Journal) 1:48 p.m. BERNALILLOTwenty-four days after Levi Chavez called. What is mud rain? The DNA belonged to both Tera and Levi Chavez, according to Williams. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. HE HAD TO WATCH HIS PARENTS PASSED AWAY. And why is it on my car? 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. The whole situation is just sick, she said through tears. Heather Chavez - Access and Control Lead - San Juan College - LinkedIn KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. 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. Levi was staying with his mother in October 2007, she testified today, during one of the couples estrangements. No matter what you choose, not everyone is going to be happy.. . (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. These initiatives led to the continued success in the reduction of property crimes in the Southwest Area Command. Levi Chavez came back the following week and did exactly that. 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. How long will the ski season last in New Mexico? Radosevich said it would, but added several times that releasing the magazine required a deliberate, intentional action.