Man convicted in Chandra Levy's death won't be retried
WASHINGTON -- Prosecutors say they will not retry a man convicted of killing Washington intern Chandra Levy.
The U.S. Attorney's office for the District of Columbia said in a statement Thursday that the office has moved to dismiss the case charging Ingmar Guandique with Levy's 2001 murder.
According to the statement, prosecutors concluded they could not convict Guandique "based on recent unforeseen developments that were investigated over the past week." The statement does not elaborate.
"The Office has concluded that it can no longer prove the murder case against Mr. Guandique beyond a reasonable doubt," the statement read.
Levy's 2001 disappearance created a national sensation after the Modesto, California, native was romantically linked with then-Congressman Gary Condit.
Levy's remains were found in Washington's Rock Creek Park in 2002. Prosecutors argued her death fit a pattern of attacks Guandique committed on female joggers. He was found guilty in 2010 of Levy's murder but granted a new trial last year.
Guandique, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, has been incarcerated while awaiting retrial. Pending court action he'll be released to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the statement said, where he faces removal proceedings.
Before the charges were dismissed, defense attorneys indicated they hoped to introduce evidence that would cast suspicion on Condit.
In May, defense attorneys filed a motion asking the judge to depose several women who told federal investigators that they had romantic relationships with Condit and alleged he had an interest in rough sex and bondage. Some of the women expressed fear of the former congressman and said he instructed them to keep their relationships secret.
Defense attorneys wrote about knotted tights found near Levy's remains and believed to be used to restrain her; defense attorneys said two women would testify Condit had a sexual interest in tying them up.
Condit was cleared in the case and has never been charged. It's not clear why prosecutors moved to dismiss the case against Guandique.