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. Market data provided by Factset. 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. The attorney general says these operations are partnerships with big box stores like Home Depot and Target. Jones was the lead investigator handling the death of Tera Chavez for the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. 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. Boycott Black Lives Matter, Your email address will not be published. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even 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. Albuquerque. "You know the whole thing was so disgusting and such a disgrace. This included partnerships with the schools, teachers and laws enforcement with a focused presentation of alcohol awareness to students. (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. Under a short cross-examination by McKay, Levi Chavez often grew testy. (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. Brookreson also examined Chavezs APD-issued laptop, according to his testimony. "What did I tell you?" OVER THE YEARS DETECTIVES INTERVIEWED A LOT OF PEOPLE, STILL NEARLY THREE DECADES LATER, NO ARRESTS. 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 . 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. 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. During his career, he was a patrol officer for 9 years. Ex-wife Heather Hindi left him for alleged wife-killer Levi Chavez. 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. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. View Heather Hindi's record in Albuquerque, NM including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. ) Radosevich said it would, but added several times that releasing the magazine required a deliberate, intentional action. At issue is testimony that the magazine in the pistol was unseated after Teras body was found and what that means to the case. 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. 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. 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. >> SHE STILL HAS A BROTHER THAT LIVES LOCALLY. "Justice was not served," Joseph Cordova, the father of Tera Chavez, said after listening to the verdict with his wife. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. 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. In 2014, Medina retired from the Albuquerque Police Department and shortly thereafter became the Chief of Police for the Pueblo of Laguna. 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? Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. Contact Number (505) ***-**** Engage via Phone. One of Levi Chavezs lovers who was also a client of Teras at the Los Lunas Style America salon testified that Tera told her the truck hadnt really been stolen. Its not a taboo subject at all.. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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 Following the verdict, emotional family members of Tera Chavez were quickly escorted out of Sandoval District Court, the result of an edict from state District Judge George Eichwald who sought to ease tensions between the two families. NANCY: HER BOSS KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND CALLED POLICE. A forensic pathologist testified earlier in the trial that Tera died almost immediately after one shot was fired into her mouth. gtag('config', 'UA-177193517-1'); Levi was initially charged Jason Chavez in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Published: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:05AMUpdated: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:41AM. The evidence tampering charge stemmed from prosecutors allegation that Chavez then placed the gun and a shell casing near Teras body to make it appear that she had shot herself. 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. 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. . Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. The reason: Serna and prosecutors said Farrelly hadnt turned over everything he had on the case during discovery. And it was the third time the judge denied him. Serna said he doubted that Chavez would want return to the state's largest police department. or redistributed. Prosecutors put 36 witnesses on the stand. She basically said she wanted someone to love her," Nick Wheeler testified last Friday. Levi Chavez cried at the defense table while his mother testified. Guitarist Ottmar Liebert bringing his unique blend of music Ottmar Liebert and his band Luna Negra will perform with the New Mexico Philharmonic at Popejoy Hall on Saturday, March 11. Engage via Email. 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. 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. Former Albuquerque Police Officer Levi Chavez enters court on June 13, 2013 in Bernalillo, N.M. Dean Hanson/The Albuquerque Journal/AP Photo, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In December of 2017, Medina was appointed to Deputy Chief for the Albuquerque Police Department and currently oversees the Field Services Bureau. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. That witness, Rose Slama, also testified that she told Levi Chavez about his wifes allegations. 72 0 obj She said some jurors even cried during deliberations. 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. 9,701 Followers, 2,680 Following, 7,903 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Heather Chavez (@heather_chav) On Oct. 28, 1992, a Farmington woman was brutally murdered. In 2011, Medina was promoted to the rank of Commander. 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. He was the 35th of 36 witnesses called by the state, which rested its case Monday afternoon. The defense contends that Tera shot herself with her husbands Albuquerque Police Department-issued pistol. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. "I can't look at her. Other names that Heather uses includes Heather Ripley, Heather C Chavez, Heather C Hindi, Heather C Ripley and Heather Hindi. 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. Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. 75 0 obj Can you bring your e-cigarette on a plane? Theres still a civil wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Teras family, to be decided in state District Court in Bernalillo County. I couldve been a better parent and recommended that it was in the best interest that they not be together, she said. Chavez was charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering in an April 2011 indictment. xc````` ]ep e1BU&lwYp3Y76fb`;RD" On Jan. 15, 2008, Heather Chavez gave an interview to then-Detective Jones of VCSO. endobj Earlier Monday, retired New Mexico Crime Lab fingerprint identification expert Shirley Garcia also testified. Alter Last Name Full Name Persons Count Share ; Chaves: Heather Chaves: 10: 19.36%: Garcia: Heather Garcia: 545: 6.34%: Martinez: . I feel confident with my choice, but I cry for the family, she said. << /Linearized 1 /L 38845 /H [ 955 163 ] /O 76 /E 36564 /N 1 /T 38217 >> Judge Eichwald ultimately allowed the question, to which Radosevich answered: At the time (Jones) recovered it, yes, Jones said the magazine was unseated. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Police officers will often tell you theres no such thing as a routine call when youre patrolling the streets. During testimony on Friday, she said she was referring to herself in the text. Carla Helmer hadn't shown up for work at a Farmington convenience store for three days. But the trial, which began two weeks ago, has offered more stories of affairs within the Albuquerque Police Department. Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Serna has sought to poke holes in those assessments. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer 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 graduated with honors from University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine in 2007. 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. 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. Serna called seven other witnesses to testify. Albuquerque Police Contact. He received the Uniformed Officer of the Year for the Albuquerque Police Department in 2004. The DNA belonged to both Tera and Levi Chavez, according to Williams. Over the years, detectives. Get Directions Google Map Contact Information Position: Office of the Chief Phone: 505-768-2200 Physical Address 400 Roma NW Albuquerque New Mexico 87102. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. NANCY: OCTOBER 28, 1992, CARLA HAD NOT SHOWN UP TO WORK AT THE CONVENIENCE STORE. endstream Now they are calling on Albuquerque P Titleist Golf Bags 2021, Rebecca Sarker Sister Sunetra, Portions of CA home hang over cliff after landslide, 1 killed amid turbulence event on business jet, UNM Hospital wants to know publics feedback. View the sitemap for the City of Albuquerque website. 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.. 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. But Romero also testified that Tera was essentially lost during her numerous separations from Levi. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said. The Harwood Museum of Art's exhibition 'Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy' explores this history through archival photographs and contemporary art. Boycott Black Lives Matter, But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. Where does medical cannabis go from here? xcbdg`b`8 $@@q1`: 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. All the children are aware of who Tera was, Heather Chavez said, and they even celebrate her birthday. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. Heres how the Glock works, according to Radosevichs testimony and a demonstration he made for the jury with the gun used to kill Tera inside the Chavezes home near Los Lunas in October 2007: The magazine, a polymer piece that holds bullets, is inserted into the butt of the pistol. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis /Journal), Former APD officer Levi Chavez clutches a rosary before being found not guilty of murder on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. CONTACT: 505-415-2640. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - The attorney general and the Albuquerque Police Department are cracking down on serial shoplifters and organized retail crime. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. She said she passed that information along to her son, who decided to go by the couples home to check on Tera. Much of the trial centered on allegations that Albuquerque police officers who responded to the Chavez home in nearby Los Lunas removed and even flushed key evidence down a toilet. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. 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 . Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. Another, Athena Padilla was arrested on March 9, was charged with 10 shoplifting incidents with a value close to $19,000. Georgetown University Diploma, 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. width: 640px; 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. Based on my experience the magazine release had to be depressed after that firing sequence was completed, he said. That would have been after she moved out of the home she shared with Steve Hindi, according to her testimony. 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. 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. Heather Chavez is a Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Heather Chavez said that, despite the appearance given in the text she sent Levi about taking his last name and more than 400 calls between the two from Oct. 8, 2007 to Dec. 12 of that year they did not begin a sexual relationship until late November or early December.. APD and AG are hoping to bring harsher charges for those who are more violent offenders or serial shoplifters. Although he testified that someone had altered things on its hard drive, he was confident that one of the searches he uncovered had, indeed, occurred a White Pages search that turned up the home address for Aaron Jones, the lead detective investigating Teras death for the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. They have also lived in Taos, NM and New York, NY. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. IVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HIM. THEY KNEVER KNEW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. Levi was staying with his mother in October 2007, she testified today, during one of the couples estrangements. 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. During his time with Party Patrol he focused on decreasing illegal sales to underage youth. 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. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. 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. Prosecutors alleged that he killed Tera around 1 a.m. on Oct. 21, 2007 a Sunday by creeping up on her while she was likely asleep in bed inside the couples home near Los Lunas, shoving his APD-issued Glock 9 mm pistol into the back of her mouth and pulling the trigger once. Heather Chavez's Phone Number and Email. 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. New Mexico weavers keeping tradition alive, 1 injured in Bernalillo County deputy-involved crash, Mortgage rates have little reason to fall in March. At one point on Monday, Serna took the gun, which was not loaded, turned it upside down and pointed it toward himself. The jury learned Friday that underneath the mattress on which Tera. However, he conceded that it was plausible.. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. Heather Chavez is 46 years old and was born on 06/04/1976. 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. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. (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. Levi Chavez did, indeed, marry Heather Chavez (ne Hindi) in the summer of 2008. Somebody dumped the Internet history.. Chavez still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Tera Chavez. He started his police career in November of 1995, when he graduated from the Albuquerque Police Academy. 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. The other half of Heather Chavezs wish a move to the APD homicide unit never came to pass. 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. endstream In 2007, Medina was promoted to the Lieutenant rank and remained there for 2 years. << /Filter /FlateDecode /S 36 /O 90 /Length 79 >> The whole situation is just sick, she said through tears. Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Scotland, Blastocyst culture and Blastocyst embryo transfer, Fertility consultation and fertility treatment planning. 76 0 obj 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. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Chavez was accused of killing Tera in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. We can help with your case! Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. Wheeler added that Chavez never spoke of hurting herself during their time together. 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. 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. With one clear, simple statement, Radosevich drove home the states contention that Tera Chavez could not have pulled the trigger herself. Not among them was APD officer Steve Hindi, to whom Heather was married at the time. He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. Wheeler is the husband of Chavez's maid of honor, Samantha Wheeler. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? Chavez has never been charged with any wrongdoing. 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. Published: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 3:53PMUpdated: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 11:21PM, #foogallery-gallery-0 .fg-image { He is the city's top ticket-writer and one of the most complained-about cops in town.
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