In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. (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 || []; According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. The Levi Chavez case wont end with todays verdict. 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. LeviChavezLaw . Romero says Chavez was with her for part of the weekend when his wife was shot. Serna told Chavez. 72 0 obj Twenty-four days after the 911 suicide call, which Levi Chavez made around 9 p.m. on Oct, 21, 2007, a text message popped up on his cellphone suggesting that a new marriage wasnt far off. Im not guilty. 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.. Weve made it clear to them: Teras your mother, and she loves you,' she said of Tera and Levis children. Repeatedly throughout the trial and again on Thursday Serna has said Levi Chavez had last been in Los Lunas on Oct. 19. GallupARTS receives $400,000 grant for virtual project. 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. Not among them was APD officer Steve Hindi, to whom Heather was married at the time. Box 1293 One Civic Plaza Room 7057 Albuquerque New Mexico 87103. 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 . To provide or request additional information, please contact: - Det. Chavez has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He cried as he described finding Tera dead in the couples home and said he is a changed man who, after her death, spoke to priests in an effort to leave his philandering ways behind. OVER THE YEARS DETECTIVES INTERVIEWED A LOT OF PEOPLE, STILL NEARLY THREE DECADES LATER, NO ARRESTS. Chavez was accused of killing Tera in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. So Eichwald ruled that Farrellys testimony would be too prejudicial toward Levi Chavez. He has pled not guilty. She would not have been able to release the magazine herself. 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. Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque. Prosecutors argued over the word unfounded, noting that authorities had scheduled a grand jury to hear evidence in the alleged insurance fraud case, but Farrellys boss pulled the plug on that presentation at the last minute in 2010. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. He also focused on providing prevention and intervention education strategies to the local Albuquerque high school students. Boycott Black Lives Matter, Your email address will not be published. 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. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. Mmmm detective Chavez with homicide, the text read. The juror said the decision was difficult but unanimous. Theres nothing I would like to have them work other types of overtime rather than standing at a retail store, said Chief Medina. 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. Chavez's 911 call to report his wife's death was played in court. 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. 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. (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 refuted Slamas claims when he testified. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast Albuquerque, Where does medical cannabis go from here? Chavez has never been charged with any wrongdoing. His much-anticipated testimony did not appear to help either side, as Perea said that he couldnt be sure where Levi Chavez was for the entirety of the two swing shifts. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. 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. 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. NANCY: POLICE BELIEVE SOMEONE DOES KNOW WHO KILLED CARLA. Last Update. xcbdg`b`8 $@@q1`: There was a lot the jury didnt hear, too, because of bitter pretrial wrangling much of which shook out in favor of the defense. "You know the whole thing was so disgusting and such a disgrace. Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said.Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. ITS A HEAVY WEIGHT TO CARRY. ther A Pratt-Chavez, MD, is a Pediatric Medicine specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. NANCY: OCTOBER 28, 1992, CARLA HAD NOT SHOWN UP TO WORK AT THE CONVENIENCE STORE. Heather Chavez said she was helping move Tera Chavez's items out of the Los Lunas home in the weeks after the funeral. endobj Nobody answered, so she called police.Officers showed up and found Carla's body inside. (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. Heather Chavez is 46 years old and was born on 06/04/1976. Heather Chavez, Albuquerque Police Department, NM, (505) 768-2404, Levi Chavez, in a surprise move, testified in his own defense. On July 5, 2008, half of the desire she expressed in the text came true. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. She said some jurors even cried during deliberations. The civil case will proceed as soon as state District Judge Ted Baca sets a date. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. probate, or family law case, contact Attorney Levi M. Chavez, II at 505-415-2640. Perea, who initially asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, has been granted immunity for his testimony. There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. Radosevich spent most of his time on the stand Monday answering questions from Senior Trial Attorney Bryan McKay about what has become one of the trials most important and contested points: Whether Tera Chavez could have, as the defense contends, shot herself in October 2007 with her husbands service pistol. Attorney Brad Hall, who represents Teras family in the civil suit, asked whether Levi Chavez had loaned his cellphone to anyone. endobj 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. He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. Another, Athena Padilla was arrested on March 9, was charged with 10 shoplifting incidents with a value close to $19,000. Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. 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. Chavez has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. I've been in contact with him. 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. 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. Download the Albuquerque Police Department's Organizational Chart. The jury found him not guilty. Titleist Golf Bags 2021, Levi Chavez called 911 around 9 p.m. that day, Oct. 21, 2007, to say his wife had shot herself in the head. Ex-New Mexico police officer acquitted of wife's murder Associated Press July 16, 2013: Levi Chavez, right, a former Albuquerque police officer, gets a hug from his wife, Heather. Some extra notes, quotes, news and notes from the Lobos Friday night basketball game in Fort Collins, Colorado. He strongly believes in working with the community to educate and have an understanding of community-oriented policing. 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. Other names that Heather uses includes Heather Ripley, Heather C Chavez, Heather C Hindi, Heather C Ripley and Heather Hindi. (AP Photo/Albuquerque Journal, Adolphe Pierre-Louis). Albuquerque. Chavez was accused of killing his wife in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. She first pursued her career in writing in college. The jury learned Friday that underneath the mattress on which Tera. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. 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), 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. BERNALILLO A deep dive into Levi Chavezs personal laptop computer turned up an Internet search from November 2006 for how to kill someone, social media profiles of various women with whom he was having affairs and visits to pornography websites, according to testimony in the former APD officers murder trial on Friday. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. In the fall of 2009, he transferred to the Property Crimes Division. Pedro Taylor Football, endstream But Romero said she never knew about her sons infidelity only that he and Tera were having problems., Your email is safe with us, we dont spam, Romero testified that she had regrets about guilting and coercing her son to remain married to Tera even though the two shouldve been divorced many years ago.. (Dean Hanson/Journal) 1:48 p.m. BERNALILLOTwenty-four days after Levi Chavez called. 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. Serna said he doubted that Chavez would want return to the state's largest police department. There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. Chavez was charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering in an April 2011 indictment. Someone had to press that magazine release after (the Glock) was fired, he said. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. Published: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:05AMUpdated: Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12:41AM. However, he conceded that it was plausible.. And why is it on my car? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He was the 35th of 36 witnesses called by the state, which rested its case Monday afternoon. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. 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. Now they are calling on Albuquerque P Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. 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. Serna objected to the question, and Eichwald sustained the objection. gtag('config', 'UA-177193517-1'); Levi was initially charged Jason Chavez in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 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. (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. 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 All rights reserved. 75 0 obj Jones was the lead investigator handling the death of Tera Chavez for the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. In an indictment filed in April 2011 that charges Levi Chavez with first-degree murder and evidence tampering, prosecutors say he killed Tera in the couples home near Los Lunas on Oct. 19, 20 or 21, 2007. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. (Greg Sorber/Journal). Georgetown University Diploma, "I don't feel like speaking for his future.". It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. Pedro Taylor Football, She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. That witness, Rose Slama, also testified that she told Levi Chavez about his wifes allegations. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? Based on my experience the magazine release had to be depressed after that firing sequence was completed, he said. Please call the 118th Street Task Force at 1-877-765-8273 , (505) 768-2450 or Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-STOP with any information you may have concerning this crime. Serna, seeking on cross-examination to get details of Levi and Heathers life on the record, asked her to describe the blended family that includes Tera and Levis two children, Heathers child from a previous marriage and the couples 2-year-old son. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly not injured after their vehicle rolled in a two-vehicle, Hospital CEO Kate Becker says 'we really want to hear from our community about what, Dozens of Albuquerque Academy students volunteered to help unload and deliver the furnishings. And it was the third time the judge denied him. 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.. Albuquerque Police Contact. 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. Mary Chavez is 73 years old and was born on 12/22/1947. July 16, 2013: Levi Chavez, right, a former Albuquerque police officer, gets a hug from his wife, Heather Chavez, after being cleared of charges he murdered his estranged wife, Tera Chavez, in in 2007. Also, a new bullet was in the Glocks firing chamber when law enforcement arrived at the Chavezes home. How long will the ski season last in New Mexico? They say Chavez was having an affair with Albuquerque police officer Nick Wheeler in the months before her death. Below you will find a list of surnames similar to Heather Chavez that were found in public records. The reason: Serna and prosecutors said Farrelly hadnt turned over everything he had on the case during discovery. They have also lived in Taos, NM and New York, NY. In considering everything, I do not believe that the magazine was seated at the time this weapon was recovered, he said. Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration. He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. CONTACT: 505-415-2640. During his time with Party Patrol he focused on decreasing illegal sales to underage youth. Brookreson also examined Chavezs APD-issued laptop, according to his testimony. HER BOSS WENT TO HER HOUSE. In the days after Teras death, Romero said, her son was distraught, broken, fragile and unwilling to leave his room. This comes as the number of cases Legal Statement. I wasnt worried.. Albuquerque Chief of Police Harold Medina. Serna called seven other witnesses to testify. Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. >> IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG TIME. THEY NEVER HAD CLOSURE. 11/21/2022 12:47 AM. Dr. Heather A Pratt-chavez is a Pediatric Medicine Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 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. . View the sitemap for the City of Albuquerque website. 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 KNEVER KNEW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. What is mud rain? But Romero also testified that Tera was essentially lost during her numerous separations from Levi. Dash Dash World Controls, 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. endobj Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. NANCY: CARLA HAD PUT UP A FIGHT. 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. The gun was the biggest hang up, but there was no proof, she said. The DNA belonged to both Tera and Levi Chavez, according to Williams. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. Debra Romero, also a police officer in the department, admitted to having an affair with Levi Chavez. With one clear, simple statement, Radosevich drove home the states contention that Tera Chavez could not have pulled the trigger herself. Market data provided by Factset. The other half of Heather Chavezs wish a move to the APD homicide unit never came to pass. 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. Chavez still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Tera Chavez. Also in court on Friday, jurors heard a heavily redacted recording of the deposition Levi Chavez gave in the civil case. Heather Pratt-chavez is a pediatrician established in Albuquerque, New Mexico and her medical specialization is pediatrics with more than 14 years of experience. Heather Chavez is a Master Police Officer 1C at City of Albuquerque based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 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. ) . Prosecutors, he said, had not presented enough evidence for any reasonable finder of fact to convict his client. 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. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. 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. Wheeler is the husband of Chavez's maid of honor, Samantha Wheeler. She still has a brother that lives here locally. This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. 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. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. In the winter of 2014, after serving 20 years of being a sworn officer, Medina retired from the Albuquerque Police Department as a Commander. stream 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. Im innocent. She still has a brother that lives here locally. Published: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 3:53PMUpdated: Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 11:21PM, #foogallery-gallery-0 .fg-image { 74 0 obj endstream On Oct. 21 of that year a Sunday Romero tried several times to call her son to set up a lunch date, according to her testimony. (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. Heather Chavez also testified that she never met or spoke to Tera Chavez. He introduced and developed several first-time programs that emphasized on outreach to local youth. News . Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. width: 640px; She used words such as lonely, scared and isolated.. "She was upset. Upon returning to Albuquerque, she attended Tera's funeral, she testified, as did many other. ", Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. 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. Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi. He received the Uniformed Officer of the Year for the Albuquerque Police Department in 2004. Levi Chavez cried at the defense table while his mother testified. McKay and Keener admitted more than 220 exhibits into evidence, including the Glock handgun and more than 100 crime scene photographs. Still -- nearly three decades later -- no arrests.

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