Jury Reaches Verdict in Levy Murder Trial

[DearAbby]

Guandique Convicted of Murder in Chandra Levy Slaying


WASHINGTON (Nov. 22) -- A jury convicted a Salvadoran illegal immigrant of two counts of first-degree murder today in the killing of intern Chandra Levy, a case that was based on circumstantial evidence and lacked any DNA or forensic evidence.

The Superior Court jury reached the verdict for Ingmar Guandique, 29, on the fourth day of deliberations, capping a nine-year march to justice for the death of the Washington intern, who was romantically linked to then-Rep. Gary Condit.

Chandra Levy's mother, Susan, who attended the trial, smiled when the verdict was announced; Guandique had no reaction, WUSA-TV report.

Prosecutors told jurors that Guandique had attacked two other joggers in Rock Creek Park in Northwest Washington, where Levy's skeletal remains were found. They also presented a cellmate who testified that Guandique told him he robbed Levy but never meant to kill her as he dragged her into the woods.

The defense tried to undermine that, presenting another inmate who shared a cell with Gunadique who said he never heard Guandique ever say such a thing.

Levy, 24, an intern for the Bureau of Prisons disappeared, May 1, 2001, shortly before she was to return to California to attend graduation ceremony. The case made international headlines after she was romantically linked to Condit, the married congressman who represented her hometown district in Modesto, Calif.

More:
http://www.aolnews.com/crime/article/dc-jury-reaches-verdict-in-chandra-levy-murder-trial/19728850?ncid=webmail