}, When asked by reporters for his reaction after the verdict, Levi Chavez said Im not surprised. 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. 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. The other half of Heather Chavezs wish a move to the APD homicide unit never came to pass. Levi Chavez called 911 around 9 p.m. that day, Oct. 21, 2007, to say his wife had shot herself in the head. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. Mark A. Radosevich, a well-known figure in New Mexico law enforcement since the early 1970s, testified as a firearms expert for prosecutors. He is the city's top ticket-writer and one of the most complained-about cops in town. 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 Pratt-chavez is a pediatrician established in Albuquerque, New Mexico and her medical specialization is pediatrics with more than 14 years of experience. Levi was staying with his mother in October 2007, she testified today, during one of the couples estrangements. 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. Levi Chavez, in a surprise move, testified in his own defense. News . Prosecutors put 36 witnesses on the stand. Download the Albuquerque Police Department's Organizational Chart. (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. "I don't feel like speaking for his future.". 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. >> SHE RECEIVED MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS. Im innocent. APD and AG are hoping to bring harsher charges for those who are more violent offenders or serial shoplifters. The Gallup New Deal Art Virtual Museum has received another big boost from the National Endowment fo 'More time for sunshine.' But the trial, which began two weeks ago, has offered more stories of affairs within the Albuquerque Police Department. ) . 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. (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. Heather Chavez, Albuquerque Police Department, NM, (505) 768-2404, 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. The defense claims Tera Chavez killed herself because she was depressed about her marriage. 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. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said.Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. At one point on Monday, Serna took the gun, which was not loaded, turned it upside down and pointed it toward himself. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. No matter what you choose, not everyone is going to be happy.. He. Published: Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 at 12:05AMUpdated: Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 at 2:08PM. He also focused on providing prevention and intervention education strategies to the local Albuquerque high school students. 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. 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. BERNALILLO The magazine that held the bullets for Levi Chavezs APD-issued Glock 9 mm pistol took center stage in a Sandoval County courtroom Monday morning as the former officers murder trial rolled into its fourth week of testimony. Pedro Taylor Football, During the next 19 months through the use of community poling principles he created partnerships with community stakeholders, and increased internal communication and cooperation. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. Rebecca Sarker Sister Sunetra, John Chavez, age 35, a devoted and loving father, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. 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. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis /Journal), Former APD officer Levi Chavez reacts to being found not guilty of murder on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. 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. (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. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. 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. They are very private, and we just didnt pal around together.. The donut shop has announced it has closed its South Valley and Northeast Heights locations. On Tuesday, the court heard from police officer Regina Sanchez, who admitted to having an affair with Chavez in 2006. 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. ;$X@UqD BXHp 9@B$T001VlHE 5 Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. stream Also in court on Friday, jurors heard a heavily redacted recording of the deposition Levi Chavez gave in the civil case. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Titleist Golf Bags 2021, But they didnt begin deliberating until Monday because of the late hour. She testified that she is currently assigned to the APD Crimes Against Children Unit. Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. the Albuquerque Police Department. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Police officers will often tell you theres no such thing as a routine call when youre patrolling the streets. That would have been after she moved out of the home she shared with Steve Hindi, according to her testimony. 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Dr. Chavez works in Albuquerque, NM and 1 other location and specializes in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 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. Serna said he doubted that Chavez would want return to the state's largest police department. In case you missed it, here's a repeat of a major event that is unfolding in the Levi Chavez trial. Its a good thing hes not a cop now, because he has no business being a cop, Serna said Monday. ITS A HEAVY WEIGHT TO CARRY. 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. Dash Dash World Controls, Many of the other defense exhibits were photographs, as well. Currently, the Maxwell Museum is displaying 'Conversing with the Land: Native North American Baskets of the Maxwell Museum Collections,' through Jan. 10, 2024. 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? 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. NANCY: CARLA HAD PUT UP A FIGHT. 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. Get Directions Google Map Contact Information Position: Office of the Chief Phone: 505-768-2200 Physical Address 400 Roma NW Albuquerque New Mexico 87102. 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. A forensic pathologist testified earlier in the trial that Tera died almost immediately after one shot was fired into her mouth. 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.

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