Under a short cross-examination by McKay, Levi Chavez often grew testy. He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. It is a case that has haunted a Northern New Mexico community for nearly three decades. endobj (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. ;$X@UqD BXHp 9@B$T001VlHE 5 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. endobj Brookreson also examined Chavezs APD-issued laptop, according to his testimony. Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi. Farmington police still searching for answers in murder case 27 - KOAT State District Judge George P. Eichwald essentially gutted that theory when he barred Farrellys testimony after a motion from Serna. He received the Uniformed Officer of the Year for the Albuquerque Police Department in 2004. View the sitemap for the City of Albuquerque website. Over the years, detectives. She still has a brother that lives here locally. ", Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. 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. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KOAT-TV. 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. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. gtag('js', new Date()); APD and AG are hoping to bring harsher charges for those who are more violent offenders or serial shoplifters. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. CHAVEZ FOUND NOT GUILTY - Albuquerque Journal 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. He has pled not guilty. We can help with your case! 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 allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. Serna objected to the question, and Eichwald sustained the objection. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. News . << /Filter /FlateDecode /S 36 /O 90 /Length 79 >> And six days before Chavez called 911 in October 2007 to say his wife Tera Chavez had shot herself in the head, all of a sudden, there was a deletion of files, said officer Michael Brookreson, a digital forensic investigator for the Las Cruces Police Department. Steve Hindi : Public records about cops. Chavez was accused of killing Tera in October 2007 and making it look like a suicide. 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. In total, police have valued the amount of recovered merchandise from all their arrests close to $100,000 from their latest sting this past month. << /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 [] >> The defense contends the 26-year-old hair stylist took her own life because she was despondent over the couples failing marriage and Levi Chavezs many extramarital affairs. 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. 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. Over the years, detectives interviewed a lot of people. 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.. After Romero testified, Russell Perea took the witness stand armed with a promise if immunity granted by Eichwald in exchange for his testimony. Some extra notes, quotes, news and notes from the Lobos Friday night basketball game in Fort Collins, Colorado. Pedro Taylor Football, CONTACT: 505-415-2640. 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.. Chavez was charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering in an April 2011 indictment. OVER THE YEARS DETECTIVES INTERVIEWED A LOT OF PEOPLE, STILL NEARLY THREE DECADES LATER, NO ARRESTS. "Can you touch her? Levi Chavez did, indeed, marry Heather Chavez (ne Hindi) in the summer of 2008. 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. 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. (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 || []; These initiatives led to the continued success in the reduction of property crimes in the Southwest Area Command. City questions prominent non-profit's hire of ex-cop who was - KRQE 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. 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. Can you bring your e-cigarette on a plane? Prosecutors allege that he killed Tera in the couple's Los Lunas home on either Oct. 19, 20 or 21, 2007 and tried to make. They deliberated all day Monday and began again at about 1 p.m. today. The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. She used words such as lonely, scared and isolated.. (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. She had multiple defense wounds, and had put up a fight. << /Linearized 1 /L 38845 /H [ 955 163 ] /O 76 /E 36564 /N 1 /T 38217 >> Her boss at the time was worried so she went to Carlas house and knocked on her door. 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. On Oct. 28, 1992, a Farmington woman was brutally murdered. << /Annots 92 0 R /Contents [ 77 0 R 78 0 R 79 0 R 80 0 R 81 0 R 82 0 R 83 0 R 84 0 R ] /CropBox [ 0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0 ] /Group 108 0 R /MediaBox [ 0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0 ] /Parent 5 0 R /Resources << /ColorSpace << /CS0 95 0 R /CS1 96 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS0 97 0 R >> /Font << /TT0 99 0 R /TT1 101 0 R /TT2 103 0 R /TT3 105 0 R >> /XObject << /Im0 88 0 R /Im1 89 0 R /Im2 90 0 R >> >> /Rotate 0 /StructParents 0 /Tabs /S /Type /Page >> The defense claims Tera Chavez killed herself because she was depressed about her marriage. APDs vision is an Albuquerque where citizens and the police department work together through mutual trust to build a thriving community. Dash Dash World Controls, Wheeler is the husband of Chavez's maid of honor, Samantha Wheeler. Stores across the Metro are now employing armed private security guards with limited use of force as asset protection. Levi Chavez came back the following week and did exactly that. At one point on Monday, Serna took the gun, which was not loaded, turned it upside down and pointed it toward himself. 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. 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. 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. The defense contends that Tera shot herself with her husbands Albuquerque Police Department-issued pistol. 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. Alter Last Name Full Name Persons Count Share ; Chaves: Heather Chaves: 10: 19.36%: Garcia: Heather Garcia: 545: 6.34%: Martinez: . She left the courtroom in tears and came back in eight minutes later, still dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. On July 5, 2008, half of the desire she expressed in the text came true. He had to watch his parents pass away and they never had closure so they never knew what happened to Carla. Boycott Black Lives Matter, Currently, the Maxwell Museum is displaying 'Conversing with the Land: Native North American Baskets of the Maxwell Museum Collections,' through Jan. 10, 2024. The call did not go to voicemail. 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.. "She received multiple stab wounds." Tell me if she feels cold?" Mailing Address P.O. Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. In 2011, the Albuquerque police officer was accused of murder. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The attorney general and the Albuquerque Police Department are cracking down on serial shoplifters and organized retail crime. (Dean Hanson/Journal) 1:48 p.m. BERNALILLOTwenty-four days after Levi Chavez called. John enjoyed horseback riding with his sons and best friend and cousin On March 16, 2012 we broke the story (READ IT HERE) about how APD's current Deputy Chief Allen Banks was caught lying while under a sworn oath to tell the truth when he was testifying in the labor hearing involving former APD officer Russell Perea. Her boss at the time was worried so she went to Carlas house and knocked on her door. 11/21/2022 12:47 AM. 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 or redistributed. THEY KNEVER KNEW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. She still has a brother that lives here locally. 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. That was the whole thing that made me upset. 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. You can cut the tension with a knife in here, Eichwald said. Former cop Levi Chavez is charged with first-degree murder. OFFICERS FOUND HER BODY INSIDE. Albuquerque Chief of Police Harold Medina. 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. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. During the next 19 months through the use of community poling principles he created partnerships with community stakeholders, and increased internal communication and cooperation. 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. Justice was not served today, Cordova said. He has pled not guilty. Georgetown University Diploma, Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. Those separations, according to earlier testimony, were due in large part to Levi Chavezs longstanding habit of cheating on Tera. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. Heather Chavez - Access and Control Lead - San Juan College - LinkedIn They have also lived in Taos, NM and New York, NY. Prosecutors Bryan McKay and Anne Keener declined to comment, as did the Tera Chavezs family, except for one comment from Jopseph Cordova, Tera father. Since February, APD has made 15 felony arrests and 7 misdemeanor arrests for shoplifting. But Keener pointed to more phone records that showed a call from Teras phone to Heathers on Sept. 29, 2007. View the Department Summary Sworn Personnel (as of July 29, 2022). (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. He told the 911 operator, Please tell them to hurry! and said shed committed suicide, PEOPLE reported. 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. Portions of CA home hang over cliff after landslide, 1 killed amid turbulence event on business jet, UNM Hospital wants to know publics feedback. Medina believes in strong customer service in order to create a program based on community policing. She graduated with honors from University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine in 2007. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. Asked if he would try to get his old job back with the Albuquerque Police Department, Chavez blurted out a date but declined to say what that date meant. ITS A HEAVY WEIGHT TO CARRY. Judge Eichwald ultimately allowed the question, to which Radosevich answered: At the time (Jones) recovered it, yes, Jones said the magazine was unseated. NANCY: HER BOSS KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND CALLED POLICE. Perea, who initially asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, has been granted immunity for his testimony. Others, including Radosevich, have testified that, based on less-than-ideal crime scene photographs, the magazine appeared to have possibly been unseated.. 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. Another, Athena Padilla was arrested on March 9, was charged with 10 shoplifting incidents with a value close to $19,000.