Katrina Garley testified that she met Levi Chavez when he walked into the Verizon cellphone store in Los Lunas to buy a phone in early October 2007. . 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 'Guilt doesn't even begin to describe it.'. There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. Valencia County sheriffs initially ruled the death as a suicide due to the "close proximity of the gun to the body. BUT HEATHER INSISTS THE WOMEN NEVER SPOKE. Levi Chavez's current wife takes the stand - KOAT 'I don't feel like speaking for his future.'. Former APD officer Levi Chavez is accused of killing his wife Tera. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KOAT-TV. The pair met when they were just teenagers starting high school, and soon, they got into a serious relationship. Prosecutors had sought to keep from jurors what Serna described in explicit detail as sexual photographs and videos Tera had taken of herself and sent to Levi. I did. / CBS News. I did WE ALSO LEARNED TODAY THAT UNDERNEATH THE MATTRESS ON WHICH TERA CHAVEZ WAS FOUND DEAD WAS A CALL LOG FROM LEVI'S CELL PHONE. During his trial, he was found not guilty of first-degree murder and was acquitted of the charges. or debate this issue live on our message boards. Annalise died after being pushed off the roof in December 2009. Some extra notes, quotes, news and notes from the Lobos Friday night basketball game in Fort Collins, Colorado. 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. The case made national headlines in 2013 as more details came to light . Shed never leave them of her own will. He told reporters that he wasnt surprised at all and that throughout the whole process, he knew he would be cleared. Chavez was eventually charged with first-degree murder and obstructing justice, responding to which he entered a not guilty plea and, to date, asserts his innocence. Levi Chavez has maintained that his wife's death was an act of suicide. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. Levi Chavez Now: Where Is Tera Chavezs Husband Today? The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Police officers, pathologists, the women Levi had relationships with, and Tera's family all testified throughout the 6-week-long court case. BERNALILLO, N.M. 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. Tera Chavez had been looking for a business space to rent for her salon and had an appointment to meet a landlord just two days after the day she died, Alibi wrote. Under often-contentious cross-examination by Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener that bordered on combative, Heather Chavez conceded that October 2007 wasnt the first time she had ever spoken to Levi Chavez. Tera Chavez's Death: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com Chavez was accused of killing his hairdresser wife, Tera, with his police-issued handgun and making it look like a suicide in October 2007. He had come to the CACU 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. Serna told Chavez. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. Josh Mankiewicz reports. 'He's got several plans in the works,' Serna said. Ex-police officer acquitted of murder of wife | AP News End of November, end of November, December BUT IT WAS EVEN EARLIER THAN THAT-- JUST THREE WEEKS AFTER LEVI'S WIFE TERA DIED HINDI SENT HIM A TEXT READING "MMM DETECTIVE CHAVEZ WITH HOMICIDE." Jorge Chavez Obituary (1961 - 2021) - Midland, TX - Midland Reporter According to their website, Levi holds the title of Emergency Housing Director at their Westside Emergency Housing Center. At first, her death was believed to be a suicide, but an investigation turned up some information about Levi Chavezs life that made them look deeper into the case. They also said hed had other affairs, including with some of the neighbors and other Albuquerque police officers. The two exchanged seven telephone calls on May 12 of that year, according to cellphone records that investigators found under a mattress Tera Chavezs body was lying on. However, the case took a shocking turn after some disturbing facts came to the surface. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. Your login session has expired. View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. After more than 10 hours of deliberations, a jury acquitted Chavez, 32, of murdering his depressed wife, 26-year-old Tera Chavez, in 2007 and trying to make the hairdresser's . Following all this, the investigating officers on this case thought that they finally found a motive; Levi killed his wife because he didnt want to get caught engaging in illegal activities and wanted to pursue other relationships without worries. Detective Jones, who suspected that Levi Chavez had murdered his wife eighteen to twenty hours before he . All Rights Reserved. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. He was accused of murdering his wife by the victim's family and one of the detectives working the case and was ultimately acquitted of all charges in 2013 after being found not guilty by a jury. The lawsuit against Jones was dismissed in 2018. Acquitted: Levi Chavez, center, a former Albuquerque police officer, leaves the court after his month-long trial, Grief: Theresa and Joseph Cordova, parents of Tera Chavez, leave the Sandoval County Judicial Complex, saying 'justice has not been served'. Levi Chavez's current wife takes the stand, Current wife insists she never spoke with Tera Chavez. 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. Levi Chavez, an Albuquerque police officer, called 911 on the morning of October 22, 2007, to report that hed come home to find his wife dead of a gunshot wound from his service weapon. It was hailed as a new era when designers finally recognised 'real women' but they have once again been sidelined by stick-thin models, Taking the Mickey! His profile states: Mr. Levi Chavez was born and raised in New Mexico and has a military and law enforcement background. She knew every single secret about me no matter what. Chavez also had a younger brother, Aaron. After being pronounced not guilty by a jury in 2013, Levi sought to become a lawyer after a couple of years of training and was admitted into the University of New Mexico Law School, where he reportedly concentrated on criminal law. Powered by. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. "He's got several plans in the works," Serna said. Levi started working for Heading Home in 2015. Later on, when Tera passed away, he claimed that the only reason he hadnt left his wife was because of their two children. Keener pressed Heather Chavez on a statement she made during her deposition that her sexual relationship began in a car. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. IN THE WEEKS AFTER THE FUNERAL SHE WAS HELPING MOVE TERA'S ITEMS OUT OFTHE LOS LUNAS HOME ANDMORE. For instance, detectives said that the night before the young mothers death, Levi Chavez was at his girlfriends house, according to PEOPLE. As week three of the Levi Chavez murder trial wound down prosecutors started playing up another possible motive for him to kill his wife Tera. A few years later, the family of four moved back to New Mexico, where Levi Chavez became a police officer with the Alburquerque Police Department and Tera Chavez started going to barber college. That wouldve been after she moved out of the home she shared with Steve Hindi, according to her testimony. INVESTIGATION - Death of APD Officer's Wife Investigated INVESTIGATION - Death of APD Officer's Wife Investigated. Currently, the Maxwell Museum is displaying 'Conversing with the Land: Native North American Baskets of the Maxwell Museum Collections,' through Jan. 10, 2024. For weeks, the murder trial captivated parts of central New Mexico as residents were fixated in barber shops, diners and grocery stores. Serna told Chavez. I didnt answer the call, Heather Chavez said. This time, Levi Chavez said he is the one who has been wronged. A summary is at Levi Chavez, Ex-Police Officer, Not Guilty Of Murdering Wife. No comments have so far been submitted. YouTubeLevi Chavezs second wife Heather testifying during the trial. Chavez was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge and told reporters outside the courtroom, Im not surprised at all. BERNALILLOTwenty-four days after Levi Chavez called 911 to say his wife had shot herself in the head, a text message popped up on his cellphone suggesting that a new marriage wasnt far off. Chavez could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted on charges that he killed Tera Chavez, 26, in the couples home near Los Lunas and tried to make it look like a suicide. July 31, 2015 - Former APD officer Levi Chavez has been admitted to the UNM Law School. 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. THE WOMEN NEVER DID MEET. Another girlfriend testifies in Chavez trial - Albuquerque Journal Tera Chavez. Published: 09:01 EST, 17 July 2013 | Updated: 09:01 EST, 17 July 2013. The murder trial eventually took place in the summer of 2013 and lasted a total of 21 days of testimony and two days of deliberation, KOAT wrote. State District Judge George P. Eichwald instructed the two to Quit arguing back and forth like kids.. We raised Andrea as a family., The young couple married in 2000 even though their relationship was already facing some problems, her brothers said. Comparing Online Sportsbook Welcome Bonuses. But the disgraced former. Levi Chavezs current wife takes the stand, Current wife insists she never spoke with Tera Chavez, WEBVTT IN DAY 14 OF THE LEVI CHAVEZ TRIAL, HIS CURRENT WIFE, A-P-D OFFICER HEATHER CHAVEZ TAKES THE STAND. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. Fashionuer.com participates in many affiliate marketing programs & sponsored content which means we get paid commissions on products purchased through our links to retail websites. At first, because of how the crime scene looked, Teras death was ruled a suicide. By abqjournal. [1] Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Levi Chavez, ex-police officer, not guilty of murdering wife", "Levi Chavez relinquishes police certification", "Extramarital affairs take center stage in ex-cop murder trial", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Levi_Chavez&oldid=1082952788, Articles needing additional references from March 2021, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Former police officer, Attorney at Law, www.levichavezlaw.com, This page was last edited on 16 April 2022, at 03:25. Discover Lynn Murdaugh Goette Real Image & Current Location, Create Your Perfect Print With Blue And White Peel And Stick Wallpaper. Copyright 2022 by Fashionuer. Her Albuquerque police officer husband found her and called 911. Theyve long been appreciated for their Sign up for our daily newsletter and get the best of fashionuer in your in-box. After the two reviewed numerous pages of Verizon records showing calls made to and from both Teras and Levis cellphones, as well as cellphone tower records, Serna declared that the records supported his clients story about where he had been the weekend of Teras death. Thats also where she was working on Oct. 8, 2007, the first time she met Levi Chavez face-to-face, according to her testimony. Levi Chavez and Tera Chavez. 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. Levi Chavez was acquitted in that case, but many people are raising concerns about whether his presence in the next class of law students . Levi also asserted that when Tera apparently killed herself, he was away, spending the weekend at one of his girlfriends apartment. He told reporters, Im not surprised at all. Obituary | Levi Chavez | Rogers Mortuary Inc. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. The records show roughly the same pattern for Oct. 20: Levi Chavezs cellphone was on the West Side during the hours of the swing shift, then in the Heights shortly thereafter. The exchange led to several objections from Levi Chavezs lawyer, David Serna, and eventually devolved into a full-blown shouting match between Serna and Keener. Levi Chavez came back the following week and did exactly that. Thats the past, Heather Chavez said in court today. Some of the affairs were with female APD officers.[4]. He was acquitted of her murder on Tuesday, The less-than-perfect crime: Tera Chavez was killed when her husband allegedly shot her in the mouth and tried to make it look like a suicide. Im not guilty. Her husband, Albuquerque Police Department officer Levi Chavez, was the one who discovered her body and called 911, claiming that it looked like his wife had shot herself with his department-issued weapon. Levi Chavez, a 26-year-old officer with the Albuquerque, New Mexico Police Department, at nine o'clock on the night of October 21, 2007, called 911 to report that his wife had committed suicide with his department-issued Glock 9 pistol. BERNALILLO Its impossible to say based on cellphone records where Levi Chavez was for 15 hours near the end of the three-day period during which prosecutors say he killed his wife in 2007, according to a cellphone company analyst who testified Thursday in the former APD officers murder trial. You could pretty much put her through the wringer, and shed still love you like it never happened. Levi Chavez takes the stand in murder of his ex wife Josh Mankiewicz reports. I didnt do anything wrong.. Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. Levi Chavez's current wife testifies - Albuquerque Journal But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. 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. 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 A. Levi Chavez, an ex-New Mexico police officer, was acquitted Tuesday in the 2007 murder of his estranged wife, but could still face a wrongful death civil lawsuit. Hugo Chavez's Women: The Ex Wives And Mistresses Who Loved - HuffPost After investigations revealed secrets involving an unhappy marriage, tangled love affairs, and a web of lies, it was Levi who came under the microscope for Teras alleged murder and the subsequent cover-up. Chavez was placed on leave at the police department where he worked and eventually, on April 7, 2011, he was arrested and charged with his wifes murder, KOAT reported. 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. Levi Chavez sues detective over murder investigation - KRQE [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. The morning of October 22, 2007, he allegedly returned to the couple's home in Los Lunas, New Mexico, where he discovered the body of his wife. Where Is Levi Chavez Now? - The Cinemaholic The Harwood Museum of Art's exhibition 'Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy' explores this history through archival photographs and contemporary art. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. He told the operator she killed herself and that he hadnt said anything because He thought she needed time.. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT LEVI BOUGHT HER A DIAMOND RING. Im not guilty. Season 2 Episode 2 of Dateline: Unforgettable is scheduled to air on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 8.00 pm ET on Oxygen, with Josh Mankiewicz reporting on the story. A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly not injured after their vehicle rolled in a two-vehicle, Trying to figure out where the medical cannabis program stands now is up for debate, Hospital CEO Kate Becker says 'we really want to hear from our community about what. 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. Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi. Read More: Where Are Tera Chavezs Parents Now? Levi Chavez - Wikiwand Chavezs bio states that hes the emergency housing director at the Westside Emergency Housing Center. Now her parents speak to News 13. Levi Chavez. Right. The call did not go to voicemail. Throughout the trial, Levi Chavez steadfastly asserted his innocence and continues to do so. READ NEXT: Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. On the night of Oct. 21, 2007, the lives of one couple from Los Lunas, New Mexico were changed forever. New Mexico, 2007: Tera Chavez, a police officer's wife, is found shot dead in the mouth of an apparent suicide. INVESTIGATION - ABQjournal Metro: Death Now Called Suspicious INVESTIGATION - ABQjournal Metro: Death Now Called Suspicious. Where is he today? All Rights Reserved. Dr. Levi Chavez Now: Where Is Tera Chavez's Husband Today? On redirect examination, Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener asked only one question. 'This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out.'. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 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. COVID-19 has impacted how we provide prioritized street outreach, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing services to people experiencing homelessness. Facebook As mentioned, Levi Chavez was charged with her murder in April 2011, but it took another two years for the case to go to court due to a series of motion hearings, civil trials and a change of venue for the trial, KOAT reported. 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. For Tera Chavez, Levi was her high school sweetheart, husband, and the entire world. Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. 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. After Garleys testimony, Serna and Keener argued for more than 45 minutes outside the presence of the jury about which of the cellphone data examined by an FBI analyst should be shown to the jury. Levi Chavez - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia Chavez called 911 to report the alleged suicide around 9 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2007. Instead, only the audio position of the recording was played in court. In court today, she said the calls were work related, and Keener did not press her for specifics. Levi Chavez's current wife, Heather Chavez, took the stand Friday.She detailed the development of the pair's relationship following the death of Levi Chavez's former wife, Tera. Mr. Levi Chavez was born and raised in New Mexico and has a military and law enforcement background. detailing just how quickly their relationship developed once tera chavez died. 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. Levi Chavez was charged with the murder of his wife, Tera, but he has maintained his innocence and said she committed suicide. Tera Chavez was just 26 years old when she was found dead of a gunshot wound on October 22, 2007. Im innocent. Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. The case made national headlines in 2013 as more details came to light about the case and about Levi Chavez' personal life. Derek Chauvin's personal history: About his ex-wife, stepchildren, past In his profile, it says: During the investigations into Tera Chavezs murder and during Levi Chavezs trial, one key talking point was how quickly he appeared to move on. 'There never was a case against Levi Chavez,'Serna said. Prosecutors allege that Levi Chavez shot Tera Chavez, 26, once in the mouth with his APD-issued Glock 9 mm pistol and tried to make it look like a suicide. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. 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. 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. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. Jones was one of the first officers on the scene and a lead detective on the case. ", As the murder case gained more attention from the media and public, Chavez and the Albuquerque Police Department became the targets of heavy scrutiny. Her mother said she wants the kids to know, Shed never leave them. News of his admittance to the university was met with some concern from alumni and other students, New Mexico PBS reported. Levi was born on October 9, 1925 in Ojo Feliz, New Mexico to Jose and Hilaria Chavez. The OTHER side of the law: Former Albuquerque police officer Levi Chavez seen here in his mugshot after allegedly murdering his wife. Tera Chavezs parents say the entire legal process has been difficult because they want to continue to be in their grandchildrens lives but they also want Teras kids to know she didnt commit suicide. This type of work affords great meaning to his life, as he and his team provide emergency housing to hundreds of our communitys most vulnerable individuals each night. Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the one who called 911 and told them shed committed suicide. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. Breaking News: Levi Chavez found NOT GUILTY of all charges in the death of Tera Chavez in 2007. This week I spotted my very sweet friend's husband on a dating app and what I did next will leave most of you outraged, writes JANA HOCKING, Billionaire financier Thomas H. 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