Albuquerque Chief of Police Harold Medina. 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. The exchange led to several objections from Serna, and eventually a full-blown shouting match between Serna and Keener. Engage via Email. Heather Chavez said she was helping move Tera Chavez's items out of the Los Lunas home in the weeks after the funeral. Information about the Albuquerque Police Department. Chavez has never been charged with any wrongdoing. She used words such as lonely, scared and isolated.. Rebecca Sarker Sister Sunetra, He asked Radosevich whether it would be possible to release the magazine after shooting oneself with the gun in that position. Jones showed Heather Chavez crime scene photos from Teras death scene and told her people were worried about her. It was the third time since the trial began on June 10 that Serna had asked for a ruling from Eichwald to throw the case out. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis /Journal), Former APD officer Levi Chavez reacts to being found not guilty of murder on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. 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. >> IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG TIME. OFFICERS FOUND HER BODY INSIDE. Where does medical cannabis go from here? Levi Chavez, in a surprise move, testified in his own defense. Christian Chavez in Albuquerque, NM 20 results - Christian Chavez may also have lived outside of Albuquerque, such as Cuba, Bosque Farms and 2 other cities in New Mexico. 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. 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. endobj That was the whole thing that made me upset. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer 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? He strongly believes in working with the community to educate and have an understanding of community-oriented policing. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer 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. xc````` ]ep e1BU&lwYp3Y76fb`;RD" Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. 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. (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. On cross-examination by David Serna, Heather Chavez said the two spoke on the phone that day because Levi had been dispatched to a child abuse call, and she was the on-call detective for Crimes Against Children. 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. 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 official website for the City of Albuquerque. Brookreson also examined Chavezs APD-issued laptop, according to his testimony. View Heather Hindi's record in Albuquerque, NM including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. ) He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. Carla Helmer hadn't shown up for work at a Farmington convenience store for three days. 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. Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said. In 2011, the Albuquerque police officer was accused of murder. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. Jones was the lead investigator handling the death of Tera Chavez for the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. Because we are targeting the worst of the worst we are finding and building other criminal cases, Attorney General Hector Balderas said. 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. On Tuesday, the court heard from police officer Regina Sanchez, who admitted to having an affair with Chavez in 2006. Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. But Romero also testified that Tera was essentially lost during her numerous separations from Levi. The attorney general says these operations are partnerships with big box stores like Home Depot and Target. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Police officers will often tell you theres no such thing as a routine call when youre patrolling the streets. Last Update. 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.. << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 902 >> 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. Im not guilty. Im innocent. 77 0 obj Serna told Chavez. NOBODY THUS FAR HAS HAD TO PAY FOR THIS CRIME. 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. Brookreson said there was no way to tell who was responsible for the activity on the computer, which in addition to Levi Chavez also appeared to have been used by Tera Chavez and possibly one or both of the couples two young children. Levi Chavez refuted Slamas claims when he testified. 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. Georgetown University Diploma, City questions prominent non-profit's hire of ex-cop who was - KRQE Other stores are installing LOT-COP Security Camera Towers to aid in this deterrence effort. This included partnerships with the schools, teachers and laws enforcement with a focused presentation of alcohol awareness to students. Serna called seven other witnesses to testify. Its a good thing hes not a cop now, because he has no business being a cop, Serna said Monday. During testimony on Friday, she said she was referring to herself in the text. 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. The Attorney Generals office said this crackdown is on the more violent offenders and they know who they are. The Gallup New Deal Art Virtual Museum has received another big boost from the National Endowment fo 'More time for sunshine.' CHAVEZ FOUND NOT GUILTY - Albuquerque Journal BERNALILLO Two of Levi Chavezs alibi witnesses gave testimony in one case emotional and in the other combative in front of a packed courtroom this morning as control of the former Albuquerque police officers murder trial shifted to the defense. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. Wheeler is the husband of Chavez's maid of honor, Samantha Wheeler. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Tera Chavez was just 26 years old when she was found dead of a gunshot wound on October 22, 2007. stream Many stores are now keeping a log of names and videos of repeat offenders. Those separations, according to earlier testimony, were due in large part to Levi Chavezs longstanding habit of cheating on Tera. Levi Chavez cried at the defense table while his mother testified. 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. 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. Dash Dash World Controls, width: 640px; She basically said she wanted someone to love her," Nick Wheeler testified last Friday. Thats the past, Heather Chavez said in court Friday. 76 0 obj Others, including Radosevich, have testified that, based on less-than-ideal crime scene photographs, the magazine appeared to have possibly been unseated.. 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. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, Download the Albuquerque Police Department's Organizational Chart. The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-0 on March 15, 2021 to confirm Medina's appointment as Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. Get Directions Google Map Contact Information Position: Office of the Chief Phone: 505-768-2200 Physical Address 400 Roma NW Albuquerque New Mexico 87102. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Heather's current home is located at Albuquerque, NM. 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. 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. 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. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. That witness, Rose Slama, also testified that she told Levi Chavez about his wifes allegations. There was a lot the jury didnt hear, too, because of bitter pretrial wrangling much of which shook out in favor of the defense. "She was upset. endstream 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. Detective Heather Chavez's Retirement Cermony | By Farmington Police In 2011, Medina was promoted to the rank of Commander. Repeatedly throughout the trial and again on Thursday Serna has said Levi Chavez had last been in Los Lunas on Oct. 19. 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. << /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 [] >> "I can't look at her. 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. Georgetown University Diploma, Your email address will not be published. And it was the third time the judge denied him. HER BOSS WENT TO HER HOUSE. The juror said the decision was difficult but unanimous. 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. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. 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. HE HAD TO WATCH HIS PARENTS PASSED AWAY. The Harwood Museum of Art's exhibition 'Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy' explores this history through archival photographs and contemporary art. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. Self Service Car Washes Near Me, No matter what you choose, not everyone is going to be happy.. (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. Brookreson testified there also were several Web searches for Jones. You can cut the tension with a knife in here, Eichwald said. They say Chavez was having an affair with Albuquerque police officer Nick Wheeler in the months before her death. This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. For months we've been searching for a - Police Complaints | Facebook (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. 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. NANCY: CARLA HAD PUT UP A FIGHT. THEY NEVER HAD CLOSURE. Shortly after the states last witness and the jury were excused Monday, Levis attorney, David Serna, asked state District Judge George P. Eichwald to find Chavez not guilty with a directed verdict. Chavez was accused of killing Tera in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. the Albuquerque Police Department. The Gallup New Deal Art Virtual Museum has received another big boost from the National Endowment fo 'More time for sunshine.' 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. Heather Chavez is a Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also focused on providing prevention and intervention education strategies to the local Albuquerque high school students. On July 5, 2008, half of the desire she expressed in the text came true. After Romero testified, Russell Perea took the witness stand armed with a promise if immunity granted by Eichwald in exchange for his testimony. Associated persons: Lear Huntington, Caitlin Moya, Amanda M Reinhart, Danielle Reinhart, Leonard J . Over the years, detectives. Contact Number (505) ***-**** Engage via Phone. So Eichwald ruled that Farrellys testimony would be too prejudicial toward Levi Chavez. 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. }, When asked by reporters for his reaction after the verdict, Levi Chavez said Im not surprised. 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? Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-0 on March 15, 2021 to confirm Medinas appointment as Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. Medina believes in strong customer service in order to create a program based on community policing. Albuquerque Police Contact. Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. He strongly follows the principles of community oriented policing and has begun implementing Community Engagement, Partnerships with Business Coalitions, Youth and Elderly Outreach within the Albuquerque Police Department. Perea, who initially asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, has been granted immunity for his testimony. Boycott Black Lives Matter, Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. Published: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:05AMUpdated: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:41AM. 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. He was honored as the Uniformed Officer of the month as a patrol officer three times. Now they are calling on Albuquerque P Legal Statement. Chavez was accused of killing his wife in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. , 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. Chavez has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. New Mexico State Police, Albuquerque Police Department, and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and recently added representatives from the U.S. Drug . 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. 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. She graduated with honors from University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine in 2007. Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said.Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. %PDF-1.7 New Mexico weavers keeping tradition alive, 1 injured in Bernalillo County deputy-involved crash, Mortgage rates have little reason to fall in March. (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 || []; The whole situation is just sick, she said through tears. Steve Hindi : Public records about cops. Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said.Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. On Jan. 15, 2008, Heather Chavez gave an interview to then-Detective Jones of VCSO. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Our Department City of Albuquerque Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. Many of the other defense exhibits were photographs, as well. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. Albuquerque Police Contact City of Albuquerque stream the 911 dispatcher asked. 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. She still has a brother that lives here locally. 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. 9,701 Followers, 2,680 Following, 7,903 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Heather Chavez (@heather_chav) 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. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. She left the courtroom in tears and came back in eight minutes later, still dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. 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. Heather Chavez - Public Records - ClustrMaps.com Chavez has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. . Titleist Golf Bags 2021, Stores across the Metro are now employing armed private security guards with limited use of force as asset protection. 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. One reporter asked what he plans to do now, Im going to go to church, pray my rosary and thank my Virgin Mary.. 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. Chavez was found not guilty of murdering his wife Tera. << /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 >> 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. 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 . "You know the whole thing was so disgusting and such a disgrace. 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. This comes as the number of cases (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. endobj (Adolphe Pierre-Louis-Journal), Former APD officer Levi Chavez, center, hugs family members after being found not guilty of murder on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. He. Perea, a former APD officer, was sharing a police vehicle with Levi Chavez on Oct. 19 and 20.