FORMER APD OFFICER LEVI CHAVEZ TAKES THE STAND IN HIS MURDER TRIAL IN BERNALILLO IN SANDOVAL COUNTY. HIS LAWYER, DAVID SERNA, LEFT IT UP TO CHAVEZ TO DECIDE IF HE WOULD TESTIFY IN HIS DEFENSE. FOLLOWING HIS TESTIMONY WEDNESDAY, THE TRIAL MOVES TO CLOSING ARGUMENTS.
CHAVEZ IS BEING TRIED FOR THE SHOOTING DEATH OF HIS 26 YEAR OLD WIFE, TERA CHAVEZ, AT THE COUPLE'S HOME IN LOS LUNAS IN 2007. CHAVEZ IS ALSO ACCUSED OF STAGING HER DEATH TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A SUICIDE. A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST TESTIFIED YESTERDAY (TUES) THAT TERA CHAVEZ'S DEATH DID NOT APPEAR TO BE STAGED. THE PROSECUTION ALLEGES CHAVEZ SHOT HIS WIFE WITH HIS DEPARTMENT-ISSUED GUN.
