APDs mission is to build relationships through community policing that will lead to reduced crime and increased safety. Chavez has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Among them is likely to be Russell Perea, the former APD officer who was sharing a police vehicle with Levi Chavez on the weekend Tera Chavez died. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. During his time with Party Patrol he focused on decreasing illegal sales to underage youth. Steve Hindi is a former boxer. He strongly believes in working with the community to educate and have an understanding of community-oriented policing. "Justice was not served," Joseph Cordova, the father of Tera Chavez, said after listening to the verdict with his wife. Heather is related to Philip P Pratt and Judith A Pratt as well as 3 additional people. Repeatedly throughout the trial and again on Thursday Serna has said Levi Chavez had last been in Los Lunas on Oct. 19. 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. Contact Number (505) ***-**** Engage via Phone. I couldve been a better parent and recommended that it was in the best interest that they not be together, she said. That witness, Rose Slama, also testified that she told Levi Chavez about his wifes allegations. 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. Prosecutors put 36 witnesses on the stand. Romero described the relationship between Levis family and Teras family as nonexistent., We traveled in different circles, she said. Self Service Car Washes Near Me, This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. 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. 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. Levi Chavez did, indeed, marry Heather Chavez (ne Hindi) in the summer of 2008. 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. (AP Photo/Albuquerque Journal, Adolphe Pierre-Louis). 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. With one clear, simple statement, Radosevich drove home the states contention that Tera Chavez could not have pulled the trigger herself. 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.. 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. The reason: Serna and prosecutors said Farrelly hadnt turned over everything he had on the case during discovery. Tera's family said he did it to. Two years later, a jury acquitted him of the charge. 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. Somebody dumped the Internet history.. During these 19 months, property crimes saw double-digit reductions in many areas. 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. Mary Chavez is 73 years old and was born on 12/22/1947. The Gallup New Deal Art Virtual Museum has received another big boost from the National Endowment fo 'More time for sunshine.' " /> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"http://heartbeatsivf.com/#website","url":"http://heartbeatsivf.com/","name":"Heartbeats IVF Goa","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"http://heartbeatsivf.com/?s={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http://heartbeatsivf.com/oljcuiqg/#webpage","url":"http://heartbeatsivf.com/oljcuiqg/","name":"heather chavez albuquerque police","isPartOf":{"@id":"http://heartbeatsivf.com/#website"},"datePublished":"2021-06-08T07:35:13+00:00","dateModified":"2021-06-08T07:35:13+00:00","author":{"@id":""},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["http://heartbeatsivf.com/oljcuiqg/"]}]}]} window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/13.0.1\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/13.0.1\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"http:\/\/heartbeatsivf.com\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=5.6.4"}}; He started his police career in November of 1995, when he graduated from the Albuquerque Police Academy. ", Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. 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. 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. Eichwald instructed the Cordova family to leave the courtroom first after the verdict was read and asked Chavez family to wait a few minutes before departing. 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 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi. 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. A forensic pathologist testified earlier in the trial that Tera died almost immediately after one shot was fired into her mouth. Someone had to press that magazine release after (the Glock) was fired, he said. , 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. This proactive approach brought compliance rates in the Albuquerque area up to 95%. Testimony and argument in the trial lasted five weeks. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. width: 640px;
Jones is the only one who has testified to direct knowledge of the Glocks magazine being unseated. No matter what you choose, not everyone is going to be happy.. (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. Medina believes in strong customer service in order to create a program based on community policing. 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. 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. Chavez was found not guilty of murdering his wife Tera. She used words such as lonely, scared and isolated.. She said she passed that information along to her son, who decided to go by the couples home to check on Tera. In the fall of 2009, he transferred to the Property Crimes Division. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. 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. Wheeler is the husband of Chavez's maid of honor, Samantha Wheeler. Published: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 3:53PMUpdated: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 11:21PM, #foogallery-gallery-0 .fg-image {
Attorney Brad Hall, who represents Teras family in the civil suit, asked whether Levi Chavez had loaned his cellphone to anyone. The Attorney Generals office said this crackdown is on the more violent offenders and they know who they are. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Albuquerque Chief of Police Harold Medina. 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. But they didnt begin deliberating until Monday because of the late hour. View the Department Summary Sworn Personnel (as of July 29, 2022). 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. 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. No lucktill we finally figured out how to get it from the police department! "She was upset. 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. 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. endobj On Jan. 15, 2008, Heather Chavez gave an interview to then-Detective Jones of VCSO. Romero says Chavez was with her for part of the weekend when his wife was shot. 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. 74 0 obj On Oct. 28, 1992, a Farmington woman was brutally murdered. HUM0W%FWD ,X{8n`j.{_il;xQne9oK^T(gB5eVhmmvPZu]u^Z@V.>2XYi-&+n
q
m4mNpI P]-)8m !5;RTTAdfI;H.KDYBd"kgBYJi
!GG@5*GG0Zaowi&.0D6L%pI yG9e=I0IA pj1"J 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. GallupARTS receives $400,000 grant for virtual project. I've been in contact with him. In the days after Teras death, Romero said, her son was distraught, broken, fragile and unwilling to leave his room. All Rights Reserved. Perea, who initially asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, has been granted immunity for his testimony. Pedro Taylor Football, 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. << /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 [] >> Heather's current home is located at Albuquerque, NM. 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. Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. Curently, hes in the media headlines as Dateline NBC explored on The decade of the 1970s began for the department with the retirement of Chief Paul Shaver, the city's longest-serving police chief. Chavez was accused of killing his wife in October. Get Directions Google Map Contact Information Position: Office of the Chief Phone: 505-768-2200 Physical Address 400 Roma NW Albuquerque New Mexico 87102. 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. (Greg Sorber/Journal). (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 || []; During his career, he was a patrol officer for 9 years. Last Update. That was the whole thing that made me upset. In December of 2017, Medina was appointed to Deputy Chief for the Albuquerque Police Department and currently oversees the Field Services Bureau. These initiatives led to the continued success in the reduction of property crimes in the Southwest Area Command. Chavez has never been charged with any wrongdoing. I've been in contact with him. Thats also where she was working on Oct. 8, 2007, the first time she met Levi Chavez, according to her testimony. The Levi Chavez case wont end with todays verdict. (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. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. Theres nothing I would like to have them work other types of overtime rather than standing at a retail store, said Chief Medina. (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. 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. News Break provides latest and breaking Albuquerque, NM local news, weather forecast, crime and safety reports, traffic updates, event notices, sports, entertainment, local life and other items of interest in the community and nearby Chavez's affidavit is now part of a civil rights lawsuit filed by Mary Hawkes' family against the City of Albuquerque and the local police department, according to New Mexico In Join Facebook to connect with Heather Chavez and others you may know. 11/21/2022 12:47 AM. HE HAD TO WATCH HIS PARENTS PASSED AWAY. 76 0 obj Prosecutors, he said, had not presented enough evidence for any reasonable finder of fact to convict his client. 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. Upon returning to Albuquerque, she attended Tera's funeral, she testified, as did many other. (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. Levi Chavez Was Found Not Guilty of His Wifes Death in 2013 & Later Filed a Levi Chavez, an Albuquerque police officer, called 911 on the morning of October 22, 2007, to report that hed come home to find his wife dead of a gunshot wound from his service weapon. Im not guilty. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Farmington police still searching for answers in murder case 27 years later, CAN SOLVE THIS CASE. That would have been after she moved out of the home she shared with Steve Hindi, according to her testimony. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. Heather Chavez also testified that she never met or spoke to Tera Chavez. Engage via Email. New Mexico weavers keeping tradition alive, 1 injured in Bernalillo County deputy-involved crash, Mortgage rates have little reason to fall in March. OFFICERS FOUND HER BODY INSIDE. Before reading the verdict Judge George P. Eichwald admonished the gallery, saying he had observed a lot of animosity. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The prosecutions primary theory on motive for murder was that Levi Chavez wanted to silence Tera as a potential witness against him regarding the truck. 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? GallupARTS receives $400,000 grant for virtual project. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, 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. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. 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. The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. Heather A Pratt-chavez - 1437355773 Profile Details Heather A Pratt-chavez is a physician based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico and her medical specialization is Pediatrics . The unfaithfulness began early in the couples 10-year relationship, around the time Tera became pregnant with the couples first child shortly before her 16th birthday. 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. In considering everything, I do not believe that the magazine was seated at the time this weapon was recovered, he said. >> SHE HAD NOT BEEN TO WORK IN THREE DAYS. 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. Chavez has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. 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. 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. Perea, a former APD officer, was sharing a police vehicle with Levi Chavez on Oct. 19 and 20. Read More. 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. Others, including Radosevich, have testified that, based on less-than-ideal crime scene photographs, the magazine appeared to have possibly been unseated.. 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. 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. Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener, on cross-examination, asked Romero to confirm that she had left her marriage to Levi Chavez Sr. because of cheating, gambling and the debt he left her in. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The attorney general and the Albuquerque Police Department are cracking down on serial shoplifters and organized retail crime. The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-0 on March 15, 2021 to confirm Medina's appointment as Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. >> SHE RECEIVED MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS. Wheeler added that Chavez never spoke of hurting herself during their time together. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. >> IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG TIME. Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the. NANCY: POLICE BELIEVE SOMEONE DOES KNOW WHO KILLED CARLA. 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. I wasnt worried.. This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He was the 35th of 36 witnesses called by the state, which rested its case Monday afternoon. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. In the winter of 2014, after serving 20 years of being a sworn officer, Medina retired from the Albuquerque Police Department as a Commander. To provide or request additional information, please contact: - Det. Legal Statement. 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. 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. New Mexico State Police, Albuquerque Police Department, and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and recently added representatives from the U.S. Drug . Ex-wife Heather Hindi left him for alleged wife-killer Levi Chavez. Dash Dash World Controls, !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> (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. One reporter asked what he plans to do now, Im going to go to church, pray my rosary and thank my Virgin Mary.. 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.