NM - Tera Chavez, 26, found dead in her Los Lunas home, 22 Oct 2007 - #1

[Jewels53]

The defense rests.......closing tomorrow?

Sounded like PT may have a rebuttal. Serna was complaining about it.

 

[NCEast]

I am not sure what time I'll be home but I hope I can get here in time to catch some of the closing tomorrow. What were they discussing about rebuttal witnesses?

 

[Thundar]

Sounded like PT may have a rebuttal. Serna was complaining about it.

I missed that but heard that Serna had the jury instructions typed up in case the court wanted to change the fonts or something......WTF is that about.....isn't that done by the court itself?

 

[walkdmc]

I am in the very unusual position of having only seen his testimony today. Never saw one thing about the trial other than the main theory. cop kills wife, looks like suicide. So I did have a bit of prejudice going in today. But this is one convincing son of a gun. Of course he could be feeding a line of bs and "charm". Remember I am only seeing his testimony, nothing else. Funny I feel a bit like the jodi supporters. weird!
So if he is guilty I hope they have a good case--the prosecutor this afternoon was, I thought, not very convincing, to say the least.

So there you have it from someone going on only this guys word, now to find out the real story by checking out the you tube videos.

 

[NCEast]

I missed that but heard that Serna had the jury instructions typed up in case the court wanted to change the fonts or something......WTF is that about.....isn't that done by the court itself?

That caught me by surprise too. He's giving the judge his own instructions? I have never seen that done before, ever.

 

[NCEast]

I am in the very unusual position of having only seen his testimony today. Never saw one thing about the trial other than the main theory. cop kills wife, looks like suicide. So I did have a bit of prejudice going in today. But this is one convincing son of a gun. Of course he could be feeding a line of bs and "charm". Remember I am only seeing his testimony, nothing else. Funny I feel a bit like the jodi supporters. weird!
So if he is guilty I hope they have a good case--the prosecutor this afternoon was, I thought, not very convincing, to say the least.

So there you have it from someone going on only this guys word, now to find out the real story by checking out the you tube videos.

Thanks for your insight. It's good to hear from somebody who hasn't been here the entire trial and your take on things is mine as well. LC is definitely a charmer, but he let the devil in himself slip out a few times on cross today. I hope it wasn't lost on the jury. I am not too keen on this prosecution team at all. I felt McKay could have done much more damage in his cross of LC. But, that's the way it's been throughout the trial. And,,,,,the judge is different than any other I've witnessed. I can't think of much good to say about Serna so I'll just leave it at that. Thanks again for your post.

 

[Jewels53]

I missed that but heard that Serna had the jury instructions typed up in case the court wanted to change the fonts or something......WTF is that about.....isn't that done by the court itself?

McKay has the jury instructions, he has to change a few words but otherwise they are done. He will have all of the copy's ready in the morning.

I can't recall what Serna said he had, but they are on a flash drive. Something for the court reporter I think, not sure? I tend to turn Serna's voice out. sorry

 

[seattlechiquita]

I've been so MIA it is not funny. Saw b tiny bit of LC direct examination. Not impressed... What are everyone's thoughts? Guilty? Not guilty? I mean, what do you think the jury will go for?

 

[thefragile7393]

I need to see this on you tube tonight before I make too many comments. Right now I will say that he sings the same song too many abusive spouses who have murdered their partners have sung. Even if I had only seen his testibaloney today and knew nothing about his trial I wouldn't buy it. I have been through and seen a lot in my life and and dealt with men like him....men who spun the same stories of how mean their wife was and how they neglected them...only once have I ever seen this to be true. Excuses to be mean, excuses to cheat....all excuses.

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[Jewels53]

I've been so MIA it is not funny. Saw b tiny bit of LC direct examination. Not impressed... What are everyone's thoughts? Guilty? Not guilty? I mean, what do you think the jury will go for?

Hi Seattle, yes you have been mia. You draw us in and then dessert us. lol It is really hard to say what the jury thinks. You can hear them laughing everyday when they come into the courtroom. I don't know by that if they are very focused on their duty.

I thought LC did a horrible job on cross today, he was very defensive when McKay wouldn't let him answer the questions the way he wanted. He kept calling the jury his jury. "Let me talk to my jury" LC would say. When Serna spoon fed him he was fine, and he of course had answers for everything.

I really think it could go either way, 50/50. jmo

 

[thefragile7393]

LOL I just heard the "I missed the kids...and I missed her too" part. This guy has/had as much love for Tera as much as my ex did for me.

So far, it is very interesting. He is not as unconvincing as Seacatt and Jason Young were, or Drew Peterson. It is interesting that even though DP and BS were trained cops, they did not play poker faces well. DP was snarky and sarcastic, BS was overly fake emotional. LC...(with Serna) is calm and collected. His cop training has paid off...he sounds like a neutral cop recording facts at a scene...(that probably does not make sense to anyone lol). It is clear he felt nothing for his wife. That is what gives him away....he sounds good, but listening to him talk about Tera you can tell he just didn't like her, love her, respect her, care about her. No real emotion.

With the Serna LC, I can see how he got a ton of lovers. I know that will churn some stomachs but I can see it. That is the side he showed women and it obviously worked.

I mentioned some time back I (in my previous embarrassing life) was involved with a man very similar to LC. Looked a lot like him too even. This is how this guy presented himself-the version with his lawyer. To a woman with little scruples or sense of ethics (or a weak, love-starved woman like me) it would be easy to fall for this guy. It would be easy to believe his lies, or justify them. That flat, cold affect gives him away though....as a stronger, more self-confident, independent woman now (no I am not ashamed to say that) I see so clearly in LC what I chose not to see in the guy I was involved with.

Following KOAT-TV's links I am only on part 6 of his testibaloney but I am too tired right now, I will watch more after work tomorrow.

I will say I can see Tera being emotional. This whole sham of a marriage likely took an emotional toll on her, hence why she had her own affair. Her self esteem, among other things, was non-existent. I wouldn't even be surprised if, out of desperation, she did threaten self-harm for attention..his attention..ANY attention from him. Maybe she felt if she could get him to feel sorry for her he would start to love her. I don't nkow I don't believe she was suicidal though, and there is a difference between doing something out of desperation for attention and truly wanting to end you life. And I am not saying that she may have even done that, I am only saying that I could see it possibly happening...considering what i have seen in my work life with patients and in my groups when I went for therapy. I met women (and men) who would do these half-hearted gestures trying hard to get attention from their loved. I truly don't know if she did any of this and again, not saying she did. But dang....all that ugliness that LC put her through, I am sure it messed with her mind. My heart breaks for her and her family. She did not deserve him for a husband....she deserved so much better.

 

[NCEast]

LOL I just heard the "I missed the kids...and I missed her too" part. This guy has/had as much love for Tera as much as my ex did for me.

So far, it is very interesting. He is not as unconvincing as Seacatt and Jason Young were, or Drew Peterson. It is interesting that even though DP and BS were trained cops, they did not play poker faces well. DP was snarky and sarcastic, BS was overly fake emotional. LC...(with Serna) is calm and collected. His cop training has paid off...he sounds like a neutral cop recording facts at a scene...(that probably does not make sense to anyone lol). It is clear he felt nothing for his wife. That is what gives him away....he sounds good, but listening to him talk about Tera you can tell he just didn't like her, love her, respect her, care about her. No real emotion.

With the Serna LC, I can see how he got a ton of lovers. I know that will churn some stomachs but I can see it. That is the side he showed women and it obviously worked.

I mentioned some time back I (in my previous embarrassing life) was involved with a man very similar to LC. Looked a lot like him too even. This is how this guy presented himself-the version with his lawyer. To a woman with little scruples or sense of ethics (or a weak, love-starved woman like me) it would be easy to fall for this guy. It would be easy to believe his lies, or justify them. That flat, cold affect gives him away though....as a stronger, more self-confident, independent woman now (no I am not ashamed to say that) I see so clearly in LC what I chose not to see in the guy I was involved with.

Following KOAT-TV's links I am only on part 6 of his testibaloney but I am too tired right now, I will watch more after work tomorrow.

I will say I can see Tera being emotional. This whole sham of a marriage likely took an emotional toll on her, hence why she had her own affair. Her self esteem, among other things, was non-existent. I wouldn't even be surprised if, out of desperation, she did threaten self-harm for attention..his attention..ANY attention from him. Maybe she felt if she could get him to feel sorry for her he would start to love her. I don't nkow I don't believe she was suicidal though, and there is a difference between doing something out of desperation for attention and truly wanting to end you life. And I am not saying that she may have even done that, I am only saying that I could see it possibly happening...considering what i have seen in my work life with patients and in my groups when I went for therapy. I met women (and men) who would do these half-hearted gestures trying hard to get attention from their loved. I truly don't know if she did any of this and again, not saying she did. But dang....all that ugliness that LC put her through, I am sure it messed with her mind. My heart breaks for her and her family. She did not deserve him for a husband....she deserved so much better.

Very good post Fragile. Your thoughts and feelings about LC are much the same as my own. Serna had groomed Levi for his direct testimony so we all were able to see the charm and boyish side that he must have portrayed to others. On cross, his true personality slipped out several times and that's the side poor Tera saw and had to live with and endure all of those years.
I am thrilled that you are at a point in your life that you can step back and see some of the same things in Tera's life that you experienced--and you overcame them. She would have too if only given a chance to live.

 

[geevee]

'Morning everyone, court begins at 9:30 NM time this morning. Bet Serna's closing is twice the length of McKays. lol

I have to run an errand but should be back before court begins.

 

[thefragile7393]

Very good post Fragile. Your thoughts and feelings about LC are much the same as my own. Serna had groomed Levi for his direct testimony so we all were able to see the charm and boyish side that he must have portrayed to others. On cross, his true personality slipped out several times and that's the side poor Tera saw and had to live with and endure all of those years.
I am thrilled that you are at a point in your life that you can step back and see some of the same things in Tera's life that you experienced--and you overcame them. She would have too if only given a chance to live.

I can't wait to finish. My second workday and I can't get live streaming or you tube (and on inpt no time anyway).

I know its a risk talking about ugly personal stuff...online or anywhere, but it hit me in a lot of places and made me want to flap my gums lol.

I want to see his slips....see if its similar to the one I saw in the past. I am betting it is. If you are evil at heart you can never fully hide what you are. I so hope the jury sees that.
NC ty for your kind words....I don't feel I did anything miraculous. Other ppl have gone through worse...much worse. I credit others for giving me wisdom to use the knowledge I had deep down.




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[CUCKOOHEAD]

Yes, but this jury probably doesn't sit around following various trials all over the country like we do. They are not as well informed as we are because we have been exposed to way more than they probably have. I, too, hope they have the smarts and common sense to see what's what but again, we know what we have experienced in past trials and this may be their very first.
The Florida jury really threw me too.

Like you said smarts and common sense. I am counting on 12 members of our peers to have both. Most times I think the attorneys weed out the ones that may fall short.

Yeah I won't ever forget the Florida fiasco. What a travesty.

 

[CUCKOOHEAD]

That caught me by surprise too. He's giving the judge his own instructions? I have never seen that done before, ever.

I have never seen a judge allow such latitude for the defense. I felt that he was prejudiced to the state from the beginning. IMO this judge was not impartial.Time after time he would cut down the PT's objections and he seemed to always defer to Serna at his bench. I said it before about golf buddies and that was a joke but only partly.

 

[CUCKOOHEAD]

LOL I just heard the "I missed the kids...and I missed her too" part. This guy has/had as much love for Tera as much as my ex did for me.

So far, it is very interesting. He is not as unconvincing as Seacatt and Jason Young were, or Drew Peterson. It is interesting that even though DP and BS were trained cops, they did not play poker faces well. DP was snarky and sarcastic, BS was overly fake emotional. LC...(with Serna) is calm and collected. His cop training has paid off...he sounds like a neutral cop recording facts at a scene...(that probably does not make sense to anyone lol). It is clear he felt nothing for his wife. That is what gives him away....he sounds good, but listening to him talk about Tera you can tell he just didn't like her, love her, respect her, care about her. No real emotion.

With the Serna LC, I can see how he got a ton of lovers. I know that will churn some stomachs but I can see it. That is the side he showed women and it obviously worked.

I mentioned some time back I (in my previous embarrassing life) was involved with a man very similar to LC. Looked a lot like him too even. This is how this guy presented himself-the version with his lawyer. To a woman with little scruples or sense of ethics (or a weak, love-starved woman like me) it would be easy to fall for this guy. It would be easy to believe his lies, or justify them. That flat, cold affect gives him away though....as a stronger, more self-confident, independent woman now (no I am not ashamed to say that) I see so clearly in LC what I chose not to see in the guy I was involved with.

Following KOAT-TV's links I am only on part 6 of his testibaloney but I am too tired right now, I will watch more after work tomorrow.

I will say I can see Tera being emotional. This whole sham of a marriage likely took an emotional toll on her, hence why she had her own affair. Her self esteem, among other things, was non-existent. I wouldn't even be surprised if, out of desperation, she did threaten self-harm for attention..his attention..ANY attention from him. Maybe she felt if she could get him to feel sorry for her he would start to love her. I don't nkow I don't believe she was suicidal though, and there is a difference between doing something out of desperation for attention and truly wanting to end you life. And I am not saying that she may have even done that, I am only saying that I could see it possibly happening...considering what i have seen in my work life with patients and in my groups when I went for therapy. I met women (and men) who would do these half-hearted gestures trying hard to get attention from their loved. I truly don't know if she did any of this and again, not saying she did. But dang....all that ugliness that LC put her through, I am sure it messed with her mind. My heart breaks for her and her family. She did not deserve him for a husband....she deserved so much better.

That comment by LC 'I missed the kids, and he caught himself, he almost forgot 'and I missed her too' gave me a look at the real person hiding behind the mask. How many times did he say how nice one of his lovers were? Five, six,seven? But he never gave Tera any redeeming qualities except I think he admitted she was a good mother. He had zero love or respect for his spouse.

I agree Tera may have lashed out and said she was going to kill herself. I think she was struggling emotionally and still loved Levi. I do think if she had attempted anything along the lines of harming herself, suicide, that the defense would have been all over that and we heard zip about any prior attempts. Why? IMO because the words were threats only.

I expect the state to present a cohesive argument showing the future plans Tera was making, the rebuilding of her ego by taking a lover, the recharging of her cell phone, and the planning (kids at grandparents, buying several bottles of cough medicine to knock her out, the ripped sorry note) and the brutality of shooting yourself in the mouth and blowing off the back of your head done by an uncaring, manipulative man.

 

[Jewels53]

Good Morning

We are in the courtroom, with no one at their desk?

 

[calamityjane831]

Hi Seattle, yes you have been mia. You draw us in and then dessert us. lol It is really hard to say what the jury thinks. You can hear them laughing everyday when they come into the courtroom. I don't know by that if they are very focused on their duty.

I thought LC did a horrible job on cross today, he was very defensive when McKay wouldn't let him answer the questions the way he wanted. He kept calling the jury his jury. "Let me talk to my jury" LC would say. When Serna spoon fed him he was fine, and he of course had answers for everything.

I really think it could go either way, 50/50. jmo

BBM I hear that too and IMO it is the phenomenon that takes place when you are in a stressful situation and have to perform a stressful duty then when you get a break then other feelings words are used to counteract it. I mean when I was super green and a brand new nurse that at first I didn't want to work in the ER but it was a great position so I took it I could not believe people would be joking, playing around, eating, telling crazy jokes, laughing one second and then within a minute working like a well oiled machine to save someone's life who had been in a horrible car accident or had a heart attack. It was crazy at first and then I was doing it too. It was the only way to cope in that department. It happens with firefighters, EMS, and the PD too and probably other professions that I don't know about. I am actually glad to hear that because it is a big stress reliever and then they do have the mental capacity to take in the hard stuff because they know how to cope.

 

[Jewels53]

CJ I understand their need to relieve stress but coming into the courtroom. I would think they would be more respectful than to be carry on like we hear them.

I can see in the ER you would need to relieve some stress, how you could work under those conditions I can't even imagine. I admire people who take jobs like that.

I thought we were starting today at 9:30?