Japanese models have always been admired for their skills as well as their beauty. 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. Prosecutor Bryan McKay, who told jurors during closing arguments that Chavez used his department-issued gun to commit 'cold-blooded, calculated, planned-out murder,' declined to comment after the verdict. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. Currently, the Maxwell Museum is displaying 'Conversing with the Land: Native North American Baskets of the Maxwell Museum Collections,' through Jan. 10, 2024. They also said hed had other affairs, including with some of the neighbors and other Albuquerque police officers. Jones was one of the first officers on the scene and a lead detective on the case. Serna said he doubted that Chavez would want to return to the state's largest police department. Instead, only the audio position of the recording was played in court. Levi was born on October 9, 1925 in Ojo Feliz, New Mexico to Jose and Hilaria Chavez. Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the one who called 911 and told them shed committed suicide. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. . City questions prominent non-profit's hire of ex-cop who was - KRQE Chavez alleged malicious prosecution, malicious abuse of process, defamation, and outrageous conduct, court documents show. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Chavez claimed that his wife committed suicide because of his many affairs. However, after several suspicions, connections, and autopsy reports were drawn, investigators and the victim's family accused the officer of allegedly shooting and murdering Tera Chavez in the bed of their Los Lunas home. Earlier Thursday, the fourth of Levi Chavezs many paramours to testify in the murder trial took the stand. 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. Jorge was born on August 28, 1961 in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. The problem here was that his girlfriend couldnt remember exactly when Levi came to her place or when he left. Another girlfriend testifies in Chavez trial - Albuquerque Journal Chavez of course denies the incident. During his testimony last week, Chavez frequently broke down and had to take breaks when he recounted his ill treatment of his late wife throughout their marriage. The upcoming episode of Dateline Unforgettable will premiere at 8.00 pm ET on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Dateline Unforgettable Does Tera Chavez Case: What To Know | Crime News Levi Chavez takes the stand in murder of his ex wife Levi was engaged to Heather Hindi two months after Tera died and married a few months later, according to PEOPLE. 2023 by Fashionuer. And really, these female cops, Regina Sanchez, Heather whatever her name is, and SRO officer horrible Debra Romero have the audacity to say "I didn't know" Theyve long been appreciated for their Sign up for our daily newsletter and get the best of fashionuer in your in-box. 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. Joseph Cordova, Teras father, told the outlet, The culture which we grew up in, his family was from law enforcement. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Levi Chavez's current wife takes the stand - Yahoo! News For Tera Chavez, Levi was her high school sweetheart, husband, and the entire world. The Officer's Wife When police officer Levi Chavez finds his wife, Tera, shot to death in their home, an investigation into her murder begins as buried secrets are revealed. 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. Yet, with no proof of the former, he couldnt be charged or arrested for fraud. Chavez called 911 to report the alleged suicide around 9 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2007. Levi Chavez has full custody of his two children, according to Teras parents Joseph and Theresa Cordova, Alibi reported. Levi Chavez's current wife takes the stand, Current wife insists she never spoke with Tera Chavez. Levi Chavez's current wife testifies - Albuquerque Journal 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. You could pretty much put her through the wringer, and shed still love you like it never happened. There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. For weeks, the murder trial captivated parts of central New Mexico as residents were fixated in barber shops, diners and grocery stores. 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. 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." The tawdry details spilled in the trial and the questions it raised about the practices of the Albuquerque Police Department have further tarnished the agency, which is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department over a series of police shootings. M.E. He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. All Rights Reserved. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, THE TEXTS DIDN'T STOP THERE ANOTHER, ABOUT A MONTH LATER, FROM HEATHER TO LEVI SAYING HE WAS HER REASON TO EXIST. He told reporters that he wasnt surprised at all and that throughout the whole process, he knew he would be cleared. Ex-New Mexico Cop Levi Chavez Acquitted of Wife's Murder - Newsmax 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. or debate this issue live on our message boards. Chavez found his estranged wife Tera dead of a gunshot wound in the living room of their home in 2007. Levi and Tera Chavez were high school sweethearts who married young and were raising two children together. 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. He is suing the detective who first launched the investigation into the 2007 death of Levi's wife, Tera Chavez. Josh Mankiewicz reports. In March 2020, Nob Hill mainstay Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dateline Unforgettable: Is Tera Chavez's cop husband Levi Chavez guilty It took two years following Chavezs arrest for the trial to move forward due to delays from civil trials, motion hearings and the trial having to move venues, according to KOAT. By abqjournal. July 17, 2013 / 10:40 AM Im not guilty. ROYALE, LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER TERA CHAVEZ DIED-THEN A-P-D DETECTIVE HEATHER HINDI WAS ALREADY TEXTING LEVI ABOUT HER NAME BECOMING HEATHER CHAVEZ INDICATING SHE WANTED TO MARRY HIM. In December 2013, it was made public that Chavez had relinquished his police officer certification. Former APD officer Levi Chavez is accused of killing his wife Tera. 'I don't feel like speaking for his future.'. Investigators eventually deemed her death to be suspicious and Levi Chavez became the primary suspect, especially after he remarried less than seven months following his first wifes death. Read More: Where Are Tera Chavezs Parents Now? Levi Chavez Now: Where Is Tera Chavez's Husband Today? Thats also where she was working on Oct. 8, 2007, the first time she met Levi Chavez face-to-face, according to her testimony. Ex-New Mexico police officer acquitted of wife's murder Tera Chavez moved to Virginia to be with her husband after graduating, as hed been posted there with the Coast Guard and the young woman was soon pregnant again with their second child, Alibi reported. 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. Tera Chavez Biography: Levi Chavez Wiki, Bio, Age, Wife - Wali Kali Levi Chavez, 32, admitted to 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. Levi Chavez Was Charged With His Wife's Murder Years Later & His New Wife & Mistresses Testified As mentioned, Levi Chavez was charged with her murder in April 2011, but it took another. Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. Chavezs bio states that hes the emergency housing director at the Westside Emergency Housing Center. According to their website, Levi holds the title of Emergency Housing Director at their Westside Emergency Housing Center. By that time, though, their marriage was already crumbling apart as Levi was having affairs with several women, many of whom he worked with on the police force. Keener pressed Heather Chavez on a statement she made during her deposition that her sexual relationship began in a car. In court today, she said the calls were work related, and Keener did not press her for specifics. 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. 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. Previous Post webvtt in day 14 of the levi chavez trial, his current wife, a-p-d officer heather chavez takes the stand. In all likelihood, Chavezs cellphone was turned off between 12:27 a.m. and 3:32 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2007, said Jody Citizen, a senior analyst for the Verizon Wireless companys legal department. But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. On redirect examination, Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener asked only one question. Although her parents said they were shocked at the news, they turned it around to a positive. The teenager and her baby continued to live at the Cordova family home for two years, her mother Theresa Cordova said. 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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. 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. Strict, but in a good way, he said. According to the prosecution, she was on the verge of filing a complaint against him for fraudulent activity. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Aug 19, 2008 . Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, University of New Mexico Hospital launching health care listening tour, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. Levi was ultimately cleared of all charges. But, in the end, after two days of deliberation, because of a lack of physical evidence linking him to Teras death, or something that even concretely proved that it was a homicide, Levi, who was facing life in prison, was acquitted of all charges. WE ALSO LEARNED FRIDAY THAT HEATHER-WENT TO TERA CHAVEZ'S FUNERAL. The investigation took many years, with a search warrant served at Levi Chavezs home in August 2009, by which time the case was deemed a homicide. Hugo Chavez's Women: The Ex Wives And Mistresses Who Loved - HuffPost Now that he has graduated, instead of being a practicing attorney, Levi works at a non-profit organization called Heading Home, which spearheads the campaign to eradicate homelessness in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They married in July 2008, just a few days after Hindis divorce from another Albuquerque police officer was finalized. Right. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. However, things began turning around for the mother of two when she began making plans to leave her husband and open a salon of her own, her family said. 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.. Levi Chavez claimed he returned to their Los Lunas, New Mexico, home on Oct. 22, 2007, to find his wife's dead body in bed after taking a bullet right into the 26-year-old's mouth. Join Facebook to connect with Levi Chavez and others you may know. The tawdry details spilled in the trial and the questions it raised about the practices of the Albuquerque Police Department have further tarnished the agency, which is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department over a series of police shootings. A former cop was acquitted on Tuesday of killing his depressed wife with his department-issued gun after a month-long trial that has revealed secrets of affairs and alleged corruption within an Albuquerque police force. The case made national headlines in 2013 as more details came to light about the case and about Levi Chavez' personal life. May 1, 2008. Levi Chavez, ex-New Mexico police officer, acquitted of wife's murder when did the romantic relationship start? Levi Chavez's current wife takes the stand - KOAT Where is he today? 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. Heather Chavez also testified that she never met or spoke to Tera Chavez. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. Her relationship with Chavez started when he was still married to Marisabel. The Valencia County District Attorney stated Chavez violated the .