Levi Chavezs attorney, David Serna, will begin his cross-examination of Brookreson on Monday. 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. Download the Albuquerque Police Department's Organizational Chart. (Greg Sorber/Journal), Tera Chavez 's parents, Theresa and Joseph Cordova, leave the Sandoval County Courthouse on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, after Levi Chavez was found not guilty of murdering their daughter. The exchange led to several objections from Serna, and eventually a full-blown shouting match between Serna and Keener. (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. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? 72 0 obj Upon his acquittal, Levi dedicated his life to fighting for the falsely accused. Radosevich said it would, but added several times that releasing the magazine required a deliberate, intentional action. 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. "She was upset. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi. That was the whole thing that made me upset. 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. THEY KNEVER KNEW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. 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. << /Lang /MarkInfo << /Marked true >> /Outlines 6 0 R /PageLayout /OneColumn /Pages 5 0 R /StructTreeRoot 9 0 R /Type /Catalog >> . Prosecutors say Chavez used his police training to cover up the crime, refusing to touch his wife's body so his fingerprints wouldn't be found. Titleist Golf Bags 2021, She still has a brother that lives here locally. She said she passed that information along to her son, who decided to go by the couples home to check on Tera. Heather Chavez is a Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said.Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. 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. APD and AG are hoping to bring harsher charges for those who are more violent offenders or serial shoplifters. They also werent allowed to watch video of that deposition. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Mark A. Radosevich, a well-known figure in New Mexico law enforcement since the early 1970s, testified as a firearms expert for prosecutors. NANCY: CARLA HAD PUT UP A FIGHT. Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque. I feel confident with my choice, but I cry for the family, she said. 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. 73 0 obj Nobody answered, so she called police.Officers showed up and found Carla's body inside. "She received multiple stab wounds." The defense claims Tera Chavez killed herself because she was depressed about her marriage. Serna objected to the question, and Eichwald sustained the objection. Another, Athena Padilla was arrested on March 9, was charged with 10 shoplifting incidents with a value close to $19,000. Medina was promoted to Sergeant in 2004 where he became involved with the Albuquerque Police Department Party Patrol. 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. 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. State District Judge George P. Eichwald essentially gutted that theory when he barred Farrellys testimony after a motion from Serna. 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. One reporter asked what he plans to do now, Im going to go to church, pray my rosary and thank my Virgin Mary.. Mary Chavez is 73 years old and was born on 12/22/1947. Serna will begin putting defense witnesses on the stand today. In 2014, Medina retired from the Albuquerque Police Department and shortly thereafter became the Chief of Police for the Pueblo of Laguna. endobj CONTACT: 505-415-2640. 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. Chavez has never been charged with any wrongdoing. A forensic pathologist testified earlier in the trial that Tera died almost immediately after one shot was fired into her mouth. Her boss at the time was worried so she went to Carlas house and knocked on her door. Because we are targeting the worst of the worst we are finding and building other criminal cases, Attorney General Hector Balderas said. Some extra notes, quotes, news and notes from the Lobos Friday night basketball game in Fort Collins, Colorado. 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. . 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. Dr. Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. The other half of Heather Chavezs wish a move to the APD homicide unit never came to pass. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. John Chavez, age 35, a devoted and loving father, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Tera's family said he did it to. 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 Teras family $230,000 to settle claims against itself and APD in the civil case. NANCY: HER BOSS KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND CALLED POLICE. Since February, APD has made 15 felony arrests and 7 misdemeanor arrests for shoplifting. After Romero testified, Russell Perea took the witness stand armed with a promise if immunity granted by Eichwald in exchange for his testimony. Prosecutors, he said, had not presented enough evidence for any reasonable finder of fact to convict his client. Their additional three locations remain open. 76 0 obj The DNA belonged to both Tera and Levi Chavez, according to Williams. % Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. The jury found him not guilty. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Heather Chavez, Levi Chavez's current wife, testifies during his murder trial on Friday, June 28, 2013. Medina believes in strong customer service in order to create a program based on community policing. She graduated with honors from University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine in 2007. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. I've been in contact with him. 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. Upon returning to Albuquerque, she attended Teras funeral, she testified, as did many other APD officers. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer Heather is related to Philip P Pratt and Judith A Pratt as well as 3 additional people. What is mud rain? 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. During his career, he was a patrol officer for 9 years. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Pedro Taylor Football, Published: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:05AMUpdated: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:41AM. the 911 dispatcher asked. 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. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer https://www.cabq.gov/police/our-department, https://www.cabq.gov/police/images/chief-harold-medina_6798-8x10.jpg, Documents Related to APD Settlement Agreement, Documents Related to APD's Settlement Agreement, McClendon v. City of Albuquerque Settlement, Legal Notice: Destruction of Unclaimed Property, Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Backlog Reduction Project. For weeks, the murder trial captivated parts of central New Mexico as residents were fixated in barber shops, diners and grocery stores. xc````` ]ep e1BU&lwYp3Y76fb`;RD" 11/21/2022 12:47 AM. The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-0 on March 15, 2021 to confirm Medinas appointment as Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. probate, or family law case, contact Attorney Levi M. Chavez, II at 505-415-2640. Chavez was found not guilty of murdering his wife Tera. I wasnt worried.. OVER THE YEARS DETECTIVES INTERVIEWED A LOT OF PEOPLE, STILL NEARLY THREE DECADES LATER, NO ARRESTS. 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. width: 640px; During the next 19 months through the use of community poling principles he created partnerships with community stakeholders, and increased internal communication and cooperation. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. 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. 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), Tera Chavez's brother Aaron Cordova, left, and her parents Theresa and Joseph Cordova, wait in a hallway at the Sandoval County District Court for the verdict in the murder trial of former APD officer Levi Chavez, who was accused of killing Tera in October of 2007 and making it look like a suicide. View Heather Hindi's record in Albuquerque, NM including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. ) Thats also where she was working on Oct. 8, 2007, the first time she met Levi Chavez, according to her testimony. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The attorney general and the Albuquerque Police Department are cracking down on serial shoplifters and organized retail crime. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. Heather's current home is located at Albuquerque, NM. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? He asked Radosevich whether it would be possible to release the magazine after shooting oneself with the gun in that position. Two years later, a jury acquitted him of the charge. gtag('js', new Date()); 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. Im innocent. Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. (Greg Sorber/Journal), Defense attorney David Serna speaks to reporters outside the Sandoval County Courthouse on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, after his client Levi Chavez was found not guilty of murdering his wife Tera Chavez in October 2007. 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. APDs vision is an Albuquerque where citizens and the police department work together through mutual trust to build a thriving community. But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. Justice was not served today, Cordova said. But they didnt begin deliberating until Monday because of the late hour. De-extinction is a, Roundhouse Roundup: Paramilitary rules, youth parole, BCSO: Kids were living in dirty home containing drugs, Gun safety bill passes Senate, faces one more hurdle, Hobbs woman sentenced for stealing car with kids, Roswell PD: Woman steals, drives wrong-way to get, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. The Gallup New Deal Art Virtual Museum has received another big boost from the National Endowment fo 'More time for sunshine.' "There never was a case against Levi Chavez," Serna said. stream The juror said the decision was difficult but unanimous. Anyone with information on Beccas identity is encouraged to contact Detective Heather Chavez of the Albuquerque Police Department at 505-768-2404 or [email protected], or the FBI Violent Criminal Apprehension Program He was born in Albuquerque, and lived in Los Lunas. Dr. Chavez works in Albuquerque, NM and 1 other location and specializes in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Upon returning to Albuquerque, she attended Tera's funeral, she testified, as did many other. In March 2020, Nob Hill mainstay Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I couldve been a better parent and recommended that it was in the best interest that they not be together, she said. 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. In 2011, Medina was promoted to the rank of Commander. "He's got several plans in the works," Serna said. Jones is the only one who has testified to direct knowledge of the Glocks magazine being unseated. Romero says Chavez was with her for part of the weekend when his wife was shot. He was accused of using his APD issued gun in 2007 to kill her and then staging it to look like a suicide. Dr. Chavez is affiliated with Lovelace Medical Center. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer 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. 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. or redistributed. 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. Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said. 9,701 Followers, 2,680 Following, 7,903 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Heather Chavez (@heather_chav) abq.policecomplaints.info. There was a lot the jury didnt hear, too, because of bitter pretrial wrangling much of which shook out in favor of the defense. Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. That witness, Rose Slama, also testified that she told Levi Chavez about his wifes allegations. ther A Pratt-Chavez, MD, is a Pediatric Medicine specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Prosecutors put 36 witnesses on the stand. I dont see how thats possible, Levi Chavez said. In the trial's final days, Chavez took the stand and acknowledged having a string of mistresses, searching a website on how to kill someone with martial arts moves, and ignoring his wife's calls for help. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis /Journal), Former APD officer Levi Chavez clutches a rosary before being found not guilty of murder on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. She still has a brother that lives here locally. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Over the years, detectives. Heather Chavez's Phone Number and Email. 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. He stopped McKay on a few occasions and asked whether he could talk to my jury.. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. gtag('config', 'UA-177193517-1'); Levi was initially charged Jason Chavez in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He received the Uniformed Officer of the Year for the Albuquerque Police Department in 2004. 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. 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.. 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. Can you bring your e-cigarette on a plane? Levi Chavez, an Albuquerque police officer, called 911 on the morning of October 22, 2007, to report that he'd come home to find his wife dead of a gunshot wound from his service weapon. The attorney general says these operations are partnerships with big box stores like Home Depot and Target. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - The attorney general and the Albuquerque Police Department are cracking down on serial shoplifters and organized retail crime. He was the 35th of 36 witnesses called by the state, which rested its case Monday afternoon. Under a short cross-examination by McKay, Levi Chavez often grew testy. 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. }, When asked by reporters for his reaction after the verdict, Levi Chavez said Im not surprised. 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. 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 Last Update. 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 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. She first pursued her career in writing in college. He. endobj 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. This included partnerships with the schools, teachers and laws enforcement with a focused presentation of alcohol awareness to students. 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. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. endobj "I'm going to go to church, pray my Rosary and thank my Virgin Mary," Chavez said as he was crowded by reporters. Levi Chavez refuted Slamas claims when he testified. Chavez was charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering in an April 2011 indictment. He introduced and developed several first-time programs that emphasized on outreach to local youth. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. (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.