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Murder trial of Matthew Chavez begins
Public defender Cherylinn Gunning and Assistant District Attorney Jessica Perez deliver opening statements for Matthew Chavez's murder trial Aug. 19.
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RIO RANCHO — More than two years ago, Rio Rancho Police Department officers were able to convince a young man turn himself in at Premiere Cinemas after he allegedly drove around Albuquerque and Rio Rancho with his dead girlfriend the back seat.
Now, Matthew Chavez, 26, of Rio Rancho, begins a lengthy trial scheduled through Aug. 27 at the 13th Judicial District Court in Sandoval County.
The trial started Tuesday, Aug. 19, with opening statements and witness accounts, including Chavez's family and officers from the Rio Rancho Police Department.
Chavez was arrested in February 2023 for the murder of his on-again off-again girlfriend Jordan Gallegos, 21, of Rio Rancho, and tampering with evidence by smearing blood off of the back window of her car. After hours of driving around Albuquerque and Rio Rancho with Gallegos in the back seat of her car after allegedly shooting her, RRPD was able to get Chavez to turn himself in at the movie theater, according to Assistant District Attorney Jessica Perez during opening statements.
Perez stated that it is the goal of the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Chavez is guilty and expects the jury to come back with that verdict on both counts. She is joined by deputy district attorney Adoni Garrote for this case.
Public defense lawyer Cherylinn Gunning agreed with all the facts presented but said she believes the jury will come back with a verdict of not guilty. She is joined by public defender Jonathan Shildgen for the case.
Chavez's mother Melanie, a cousin, brother-in-law Michael Brown and elder sister Alexandra Rael all testified as the state's witnesses.
Melanie testified that she told Chavez to go to the hospital with Gallegos. She stated that she asked if she was OK and knew that something bad had happened because her cousin told her. The cousin testified that Chavez had called her and told her he "did something bad."
Brown testified that Chavez said similar things to him and Rael when he went to their house in Rio Rancho. He said he and Chavez's dad got into a tussle with Chavez to "get the gun" at the home but didn't recover one. Rael testified that she had Brown call the police once Chavez left and that she provided the phone number and location of Chavez to police.
A total of seven officers testified for the state during the trial's first day. They went over photos from inside the car, photos of Chavez and testimony detailing some of their duties.
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RRPD Sgt. Gabriel Griffith was able to shed light on phone calls with Chavez as he drove to Rio Rancho from Albuquerque Academy. Griffith said Chavez was calm and cooperative the whole time, though he was concerned about the cops "roughing him up" when he arrived to Premiere. The conversation with Chavez, captured on body camera, was played for the jury.
Griffith said initially he suggested Chavez's sister's house for the meeting point but a supervising officer suggested Premiere to avoid escalation and injury to surrounding residents.
RRPD Officer John Abernathy took initial photos of the car once Chavez was detained, noting blood splatter was on the doors, roof and seat. He also said Gallegos was laying in the back seat wrapped in a blanket. He confirmed that she showed no signs of life and that the back window was smudged with blood.
Five other officers had short statements where the jury was told that Chavez was photographed with a substance that looked like blood on his hand and shoe. There was also a potential bite mark on Chavez's shoulder.
Metro Security City of Albuquerque officer Bryon McLeod also testified, stating he witnessed a car at Mariposa Basin Park past closing time the day of the murder. He said he saw one man driving and no one else. He added that the car left when he made announcements of closing time.
The trial resumes Aug. 20 with more testimony from officers at 8:30 a.m.
