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THE NEW MEXICAN Thursday, July 18, 2013
Ex-cop’s legal woes aren’t over
LOCAL & REGION
Funeral services and memorials HERNANDA ANGELINA (ANGIE) MEDINA
Despite acquittal, Levi Chavez faces suit in wife’s death
detailed the multiple affairs of Levi Chavez — some with police coBy Russell Contreras workers — The Associated Press and the couple’s troubled Levi Chavez ALBUQUERQUE — A phimarriage. landering former Albuquerque The trial police officer and his family also disclosed alleged miswere jubilant and thankful steps by investigators, with when he was acquitted of killing testimony that Albuquerque his wife. But the legal troubles police officers who responded of Levi Chavez are not over. to the Chavez home in nearby He still faces a wrongful Los Lunas removed and even death lawsuit from the family flushed key evidence down a of his late wife, Tera Chavez toilet. — a case that could include Jurors were not permitted to testimony that was prohibited hear evidence from court docduring his murder trial and involves an alleged motive and uments that 26-year-old Tera Chavez allegedly told relatives his wife’s fear of him. months before her death that Brad Hall, an attorney rep“if anything ever happens to resenting the estate of Tera me, Levi did it.” Chavez, said after Tuesday’s Other barred evidence from acquittal that her family was the documents alleged that evaluating all their options Tera Chavez told friends that regarding the lawsuit that was put on hold pending the murder her husband and his “cop buddies” had staged the theft of his trial. “There is no particular 2004 Ford F-250 truck as part hurry, and the same evaluaof an insurance scam. Her famtion will take place, no matter ily claims Levi Chavez killed whether the criminal case was her, in part, to keep her from ‘win, lose or draw’ for any pardisclosing that plan. ticular party,” Hall said in an While blocking the testiemail to The Associated Press. mony from the criminal case, Defense attorney David Serna said he likely won’t rep- District Judge George P. Eichresent Levi Chavez in the civil wald ruled that prosecutors did not present an argument comcase. But during the criminal pelling enough to overcome trial, he blasted the lawsuit as the defendant’s Sixth Amenda way to create “a subpoena ment right to confront witmachine” and said it was nesses about their statements. largely the result of a former Prosecutors had planned detective working to discredit to introduce testimony from Levi Chavez. friends and family members of “There never was a case Tera Chavez about her stateagainst Levi Chavez,” Serna ments, but the judge noted said. “This was a made-up pile of lies from the beginning, and it there would be no way for the defense to question Tera took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out.” Chavez, Chavez — the source of that information. 32, did not answer reporters’ The city of Albuquerque was questions about the civil case also named in the lawsuit and after the verdict. It was unclear if he has hired another attorney has paid $230,000 to the family to handle the matter. of Tera Chavez to settle claims The acquittal ended the involving the city and its police monthlong murder trial that department.
Police notes The Santa Fe Police Department is investigating the following reports: u A woman living in the 100 block of East Lupita Road said sometime between noon Saturday and 11 a.m. Monday, someone entered her residence and stole a Panasonic television set worth $1,000 and a Motorola DVD player worth $200. u The owner of a business in the 1200 block of Calle de Commercio said someone fired a bullet into his front door sometime between 4 p.m. Sunday and 5 a.m. Monday. The projectile was found inside. u On Tuesday afternoon, a Calle San Simon man reported the theft of his silver 1986 GMC Sierra pickup with a long bed and a loud muffler. The truck is estimated to be worth $2,000. u Sometime between 11 a.m. Monday and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, someone stole a red 1986 Honda Accord worth $1,000 from the 1200 block of Siler Road. u An Albuquerque man told police that while he was shopping in the 200 block of West San Francisco Street around 8:30 p.m. Monday night, someone stole his bicycle off his vehicle’s bike rack. There are no witnesses. u Someone broke into a residence in the 1500 block of La Cieneguita between 8:50 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday and stole an Apple iPod worth $398 and its case worth $60. Fingerprints were recovered from the scene. u Neighbors notified a woman living in the 100 block of Mateo Circle North that someone had set her city of Santa Fe trash can on fire around 11 p.m. Tuesday. The woman put the fire out and called the police. There are no suspects. u Police arrested Kevin Romero, 34, of Santa Fe around
2:15 p.m. Wednesday afternoon and charged him with property damage after he allegedly broke up his hospital bed at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and used the broken pieces to further damage the room’s floor and walls, causing about $4,500 in damage. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the following reports: u On July 3, a Calle Corazon resident reported that a friend took her 1998 maroon Ford Expedition valued at $4,500 without asking permission and refuses to return the vehicle to her. u An Aspen Road resident said sometime between 5:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday, someone entered the victim’s home and took some electronics and cash worth $1,200. u Deputies responding to a call of a death in a residence on Hills Rail Drive in the Arroyo Seco area discovered a 52-year-old man unresponsive and not breathing. There are no signs of foul play, and the death appears to be of natural causes. u On Wednesday, a Balsa Road woman said an unknown person used her credit card for unauthorized purchases. u Sometime between April 16 and July 2, someone stole a white bumper pull utility trailer, a red generator and a gray pump deck off Old Buckman Road.
Speed SUVS u The Santa Fe Police Department listed the following locations for mobile speedenforcement vehicles: SUV No. 1 at Camino Carlos Rey between Plaza Blanca and Plaza Verde; SUV No. 2 on Governor Miles Road between Richards Avenue and Camino Carlos Rey; SUV No. 3 at Rufina Street between Lois Lane and Senda del Valle.
Our sweet delicate mother and grandmother passed away unexpectedly on July 13th 2013, one month after her husband, Emilio Medina. Angie was born in Santa Fe on October 23, 1925 to Ramon and Anita Garcia who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her brother, Raymond Garcia. Angie is survived by her son, Orlando Medina (Laurel); daughter, Marcia Medina; son, Martin Medina; son, Steve Medina; granddaughters, Renee Medina and Courteney Medina and Courteney’s mother, Anna. She is also survived by her sisters, Juanita Andermann (James) and Eulogia Garcia. Angie graduated from Loretto Academy in 1943. She worked for the State of New Mexico before leaving to raise her four children at her Santa Fe home, where she lived with Emilio for 63 years. They celebrated their 66th anniversary on June 5, 2013. Thanks to Del Corazon Hospice and Comfort Keepers staff and a very special thank you to Bertha Medina who was Angie’s constant companion and best friend throughout her and Emilio’s final days. Serving as Pallbearers Martin Medina, Steve Medina, Julian R. Grace, Allen Grace and Robert Medina. A viewing will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Thursday July 18, 2013 at 6 pm followed by the Rosary at 7 pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Friday July 19th at 9 am. The burial will be held at 3 pm Friday July 19th at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. A reception brunch will be held at St. John’s Lamy Hall directly behind St. John’s immediately following the mass.
Rivera Family Funerals and Cremations 417 East Rodeo Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: (505)989-7032 Fax: (505)820-0435 santafefuneraloption.com
JOSEPHINE IPIOTIS Josephine Apodaca Ipiotis, born on September 10, 1926, died Sunday at her home on July 14, leaving Santa Fe without her smile for the first time in 86 years. Born within days of the first public burning of Zozobra in 1926, Jo was the exact opposite of Old Man Gloom. Always eager to go anywhere as soon as she put on her denim and concha belt, she was one of those rare people who enjoyed simple things from birds in the backyard to Fiestas to fantasies about good-looking jet pilots painting contrails in the blue skies above the bowling alleys that provided her with decades of fun. She was a wonderful, nurturing, teaching mother of four, grandmother of seven and great-grandmother of three, who cooked perfect dishes from lamb stew to paella. Her love of candy was surpassed only by her love for pinon nuts, which was surpassed only by her love for family and friends. She never had a cross word to say to or about anybody. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernardo and Lorcentia Apodaca; husband, Ted Ipiotis; son, James Spiro Ipiotis; and daughter, Margaret Ann Armijo, and son in law Santiago A. Morales. She is survived by daughters: Jackie Morales, Joanna Ipiotis Romero (husband Ron), Dianna I. Jones (husband Del); grandchildren: Santiago, Chris, Sam, Charlotte, Stephen, Ciera and Douglas; great grandchildren: Gaige, Santiago and Nathaniel; and beloved companion/caregiver, Hortencia Juarez (husband Juan). A rosary will be at 7 pm, Thursday at Bernardinelli. Funeral services at 10 am on Friday at Santuario de Guadalupe. In lieu of flowers please make donation to St. Judes Cancer. ARTHUR B. BACA SEPTEMBER 22, 1944 JULY 12, 2013
The family of Arthur B. Baca would like to thank and express their sincere gratitude to everyone who were with us during this very difficult time of his illness and passing. A rosary will be held on Thursday July 18, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Annes Catholic Church.
JOSEPHINE M. SANCHEZ Josephine M. (Wheeler) Sanchez, 80, of Santa Fe, NM, passed away June 27, 2013. She is predeceased by her husband, Pete Sanchez of 62 years. She is survived by four children: Jeanette (Larry) Garcia, Gloria (Robert) Gonzales, Sandi (Mike) Duran, Ed (Brenda) Sanchez; and many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. A memorial mass is scheduled Friday, June 19, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. A graveside service will be conducted at 12:45 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family at the St. Anne’s Parish Reception Hall following the burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
JOSE ABDON VAROZ The last of the Varoz legacy was called home by our Lord at the age of 92; he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on July 15, 2013 following a brief illness. Jose was born February 17, 1921 in El Rito, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Eloisa, of 70 years; and his daughter, Loretta; his parents, Belarmino & Reynalda Varoz; his siblings: Benigno (Carolina), Amarante (Magdalena), Aniceto, Larry (Ernestine), Max (Mary), Roman (Bernie) and an infant sister. He is survived by his seven children: Cynthia (Edward), Philip (Peggy), Gloria (Jack), Martha (Mark), Agnes, Judy (Steve), Joey (Stephanie); eighteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Sisters-in-law: Romie Oselio, Cleo Martinez, Cloide Trujillo; and many nephews, nieces and extended family. Jose was employed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory for 39 years. He began his working life at an early age learning barbering skills at the Northern New Mexico Normal School in El Rito. He continued barbering at the Center Barber Shop in Los Alamos and later the Zia Barber Shop in Santa Fe, owned by his dear friend, the late, Manuel Jaramillo. He also worked at the San Francisco ship yards during World War II. He had many hobbies which included, hunting, fishing, carpentry, gardening, farming, auto mechanics, retablo carving and wine making. He loved music, especially mariachis and loved to dance. Some of the highlights of his summers included harvesting choke cherries for his specialty choke cherry wine, gathering the family together for outings, such as picnics in Canjilon, camping and pinon picking. His grandchildren fondly remember the Folger’s coffee cans used for gathering pinon. In the winter he delighted his children by pulling their sleds in the snow behind his 1941 Chevy pickup. He loved challenging the neighborhood children at ping pong during the summer evenings on the ping pong table that he personally built for them. He was a devout Catholic and was very devoted to St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother, an active member of Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community, where he served as a Minister of Hospitality. He lived a faithful and devoted life and was a role model for all his family and anyone who knew him. He had a contagious smile, great sense of humor and dichos to share each time he spoke, as these were his lessons in life to his family. One of his favorites was "Que Bendicion de Dios". He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered for his warm heart. His children send him a loving farewell… "Que Vaya Con Dios Papa!" Please join the family to celebrate his life. A rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM, Friday July 19, 2013 and followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 AM, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd, NE, Alb, NM. Burial will follow the mass at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM. Arrangements by French Funeral Home in Albuquerque, NM.
ALFREDO ESQUIBEL JR.
Alfredo Esquibel Jr. returned home to our Heavenly Father on July 14th, 2013 due to a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfredo and Rebecca Esquibel. He is survived by his wife, Margaret of 54 years; son, Patrick; daughter, Rose (Martin) Montoya; granddaughters: Sharon, Andrea, Nicole, and Rebecca; great grandchildren: Marina, Maiya, and Christopher; brothers: David, Belarmino (Linda), Gaspar (Loraine), Leo (Beatrice); sisters: Elisa (Louie) Rodriguez, Rebecca (Steve) Deyapp, Connie (Joe) Branch, Maria (Jack) Crosswhite, and Beatrice (Max) Randolph. Alfredo was a devoted husband, caring father, wonderful grandfather, and overall warm and generous person to all. He had a passion for sports and was a master woodcarver. He was a beloved teacher for 26 years at Santa Fe High School, amongst other schools. There will be a rosary held at Santa Maria De La Paz on Friday, July 19th at 9 am, immediately followed by mass 10 am. Internment will take place at Rosario Cemetary following the mass.
THOMAS F. EATON III Thomas F. Eaton III, age 66, a long-time resident of Santa Fe, passed away on July 14, 2013. He was born on June 19, 1947 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Thomas and Mary Eaton, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his two daughters: Alicia Romero and husband Daniel of Santa Fe; and Jessalyn Eaton of Rio Rancho. He is also survived by grandsons, Kennis Romero, and Jacob Eaton, as well as his brother, John Eaton of Hibbing and sister, Peggy Eaton of Santa Fe. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 20th at 1 p.m. at Rivera Family Funerals and Cremation, 417 East Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505.
EDDIE DIANA JR 4 YR ANNIVERSARY 7/1/76 - 7/18/2009
How do we interpret the dreams we have of you? We miss you. Love, Mom & Ruben
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