He introduced and developed several first-time programs that emphasized on outreach to local youth. She still has a brother that lives here locally. Your email address will not be published. endobj Its a good thing hes not a cop now, because he has no business being a cop, Serna said Monday. Contact. 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. Download the Albuquerque Police Department's Organizational Chart. During the next 19 months through the use of community poling principles he created partnerships with community stakeholders, and increased internal communication and cooperation. Wheeler added that Chavez never spoke of hurting herself during their time together. Serna told Chavez. NANCY: HER BOSS KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND CALLED POLICE. The DNA belonged to both Tera and Levi Chavez, according to Williams. Heather Chavez said she was helping move Tera Chavez's items out of the Los Lunas home in the weeks after the funeral. He received the Uniformed Officer of the Year for the Albuquerque Police Department in 2004. 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? 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. Levi Chavezs attorney, David Serna, will begin his cross-examination of Brookreson on Monday. She testified that she is currently assigned to the APD Crimes Against Children Unit. 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. "She was upset. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. 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. Serna called seven other witnesses to testify. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. Levi Chavez, right, a former Albuquerque police officer, gets a congratulatory hug from his attorney David Serna on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, in Bernalillo, N.M., after a jury acquitted him of. 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. Under often-contentious direct examination by Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener, Heather Chavez conceded that October 2007 wasnt the first time she had ever spoken to Levi Chavez. I didnt answer the call, Heather Chavez said. There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. (Dean Hanson/Journal) 1:48 p.m. BERNALILLOTwenty-four days after Levi Chavez called. Romero says Chavez was with her for part of the weekend when his wife was shot. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. 9,701 Followers, 2,680 Following, 7,903 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Heather Chavez (@heather_chav) Brookreson testified there also were several Web searches for Jones. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. endobj Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KOAT-TV. Last Update. And it was the third time the judge denied him. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. Dr. Chavez is affiliated with Lovelace Medical Center. Radosevich said it would, but added several times that releasing the magazine required a deliberate, intentional action. 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. Rebecca Sarker Sister Sunetra, Self Service Car Washes Near Me, 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. 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. Where does medical cannabis go from here? View Heather Hindi's record in Albuquerque, NM including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. ) There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer 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. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. Boycott Black Lives Matter, He was accused of using his APD issued gun in 2007 to kill her and then staging it to look like a suicide. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Georgetown University Diploma, Nobody answered, so she called police.Officers showed up and found Carla's body inside. Associated persons: Lear Huntington, Caitlin Moya, Amanda M Reinhart, Danielle Reinhart, Leonard J . 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. Many stores are now keeping a log of names and videos of repeat offenders. In March 2020, Nob Hill mainstay Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. Before reading the verdict Judge George P. Eichwald admonished the gallery, saying he had observed a lot of animosity. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? About Heather Chavez Heather is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeleys English literature program and has worked as a newspaper reporter, editor and contributor to mystery and television blogs. The two exchanged seven telephone calls on May 12 of that year, according to cellphone records investigators found under a mattress Tera Chavezs body was lying on. All rights reserved. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. Heather Chavez also testified that she never met or spoke to Tera Chavez. 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 had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. We can help with your case! probate, or family law case, contact Attorney Levi M. Chavez, II at 505-415-2640. 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. View the Department Summary Sworn Personnel (as of July 29, 2022). . Also, a new bullet was in the Glocks firing chamber when law enforcement arrived at the Chavezes home. There was no solid evidence one way or the other., During the interview, the woman got emotional. Read More. 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. Levi Chavez called 911 around 9 p.m. that day, Oct. 21, 2007, to say his wife had shot herself in the head. % 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 Albuquerque City Council voted 8-0 on March 15, 2021 to confirm Medinas appointment as Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. LeviChavezLaw . Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? She used words such as lonely, scared and isolated.. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 902 >> 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Levi Chavez did, indeed, marry Heather Chavez (ne Hindi) in the summer of 2008. Many of the other defense exhibits were photographs, as well. OVER THE YEARS DETECTIVES INTERVIEWED A LOT OF PEOPLE, STILL NEARLY THREE DECADES LATER, NO ARRESTS. 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. She would not have been able to release the magazine herself. abq.policecomplaints.info. So Eichwald ruled that Farrellys testimony would be too prejudicial toward Levi Chavez. APD and AG are hoping to bring harsher charges for those who are more violent offenders or serial shoplifters. Two major arrests have recently been made: one being Isaiah Martinez who is accused of organizing a mass theft of multiple sunglass huts across the city, with a value of $53,000 dollars back in October 2021. APDs vision is an Albuquerque where citizens and the police department work together through mutual trust to build a thriving community. Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration. 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. 74 0 obj >> SHE HAD NOT BEEN TO WORK IN THREE DAYS. Currently, the Maxwell Museum is displaying 'Conversing with the Land: Native North American Baskets of the Maxwell Museum Collections,' through Jan. 10, 2024. In 2011, Medina was promoted to the rank of Commander. Tera Chavez died on 22nd October 2007 at Los Lunas, New Mexico, United States, she was 26 years old during her time of death and according to the report she died from a gunshot wound from her husband's service weapon. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. CONTACT: 505-415-2640. 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. She first pursued her career in writing in college. A forensic pathologist testified earlier in the trial that Tera died almost immediately after one shot was fired into her mouth. 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. He asked Radosevich whether it would be possible to release the magazine after shooting oneself with the gun in that position. Market data provided by Factset. 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? Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. t|!iej@,RUAp*tG;^ppxu\>q 1T}|{U\x lX2pdRHB zg_h";*uJYUXd\.~|}wWI]'l+F Q~18OMU. 73 0 obj yG9e=I0IA pj1"J Under a short cross-examination by McKay, Levi Chavez often grew testy. He is the city's top ticket-writer and one of the most complained-about cops in town. Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. >> SHE RECEIVED MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS. Keener pressed Heather Chavez on a statement she made during her deposition that her sexual relationship with Levi Chavez began in a car. 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. 75 0 obj 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. 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. Medina was promoted to Sergeant in 2004 where he became involved with the Albuquerque Police Department Party Patrol. 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. The 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. >> IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG TIME. On Tuesday, the court heard from police officer Regina Sanchez, who admitted to having an affair with Chavez in 2006. 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. At one point on Monday, Serna took the gun, which was not loaded, turned it upside down and pointed it toward himself. Albuquerque Police Contact. He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. There was a lot the jury didnt hear, too, because of bitter pretrial wrangling much of which shook out in favor of the defense. width: 640px; Detective Heather Chavez with the Farmington police said.Police believe Carla likely knew her attacker. In case you missed it, here's a repeat of a major event that is unfolding in the Levi Chavez trial. Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. endstream On Jan. 15, 2008, Heather Chavez gave an interview to then-Detective Jones of VCSO. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. To provide or request additional information, please contact: - Det. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. (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. 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. 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. Theres nothing I would like to have them work other types of overtime rather than standing at a retail store, said Chief Medina. 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. "She asked me if I would leave Samantha for her, and I told her no". ther A Pratt-Chavez, MD, is a Pediatric Medicine specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. Legal Statement. 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. And why is it on my car? She said some jurors even cried during deliberations. But the trial, which began two weeks ago, has offered more stories of affairs within the Albuquerque Police Department. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He started his police career in November of 1995, when he graduated from the Albuquerque Police Academy. 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. 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. I couldve been a better parent and recommended that it was in the best interest that they not be together, she said. Heather's current home is located at Albuquerque, NM. Anyone with information on Beccas identity is encouraged to contact Detective Heather Chavez of the Albuquerque Police Department at 505-768-2404 or hcchavez@cabq.gov, or the FBI Violent Criminal Apprehension Program He was born in Albuquerque, and lived in Los Lunas. Albuquerque. The whole situation is just sick, she said through tears. Those separations, according to earlier testimony, were due in large part to Levi Chavezs longstanding habit of cheating on Tera. 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. Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi.