Levy Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

He takes the stand, denies killing her

(NEWSER) - Gary Condit took the stand today in the Chandra Levy trial, telling jurors he didn't murder the Washington intern but dodging questions about their relationship, describing her only as "a constituent and a friend of mine." When the prosecution asked why the former California rep never acknowledged an affair, he shakily replied, "I think we're all entitled to some level of privacy ... It seems like in this country we've lost a sense of decency. I didn't commit any crime; I don't think I've done anything wrong." More»

But her suspected murderer is far from the most well-known name in the case

(NEWSER) - Chandra Levy’s suspected murderer finally goes on trial today, more than nine years after the Washington intern disappeared—but most Americans probably don’t even know his name. Ingmar Guandique, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who was convicted in 2001 of assaulting two other women in the same area Levy's body was found, is standing trial—but the name most people associate with Levy’s case is Gary Condit, the former California congressman whose affair with Levy led to the unraveling of his political career. More»

Direct evidence was scant, but prosecution prevails

(AP) - A jury has found Salvadoran immigrant Ingmar Guandique guilty of murdering Washington intern Chandra Levy back in May 2001, when her disappearance became a national sensation. Guandique was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for attacking Levy while she exercised in Washington's Rock Creek Park. More»

(AP) - A Salvadoran immigrant in prison for attacking two women joggers in the park where Chandra Levy's remains were found is named in an arrest warrant issued today in connection with her death. Investigators questioned Ingmar Guandique—now in federal prison in Adelanto, Calif.—in 2002 about Levy's slaying after he was convicted of attacking the women in Washington's Rock Creek Park. He was not charged at the time. More»

Connecticut man Aaron Thomas arrested in 14-year-old case

(NEWSER) - US Marshals descended on a Connecticut home yesterday and emerged with the man they say is responsible for at least 17 rapes over 14 years up and down the East Coast. New Haven police today said DNA confirmed Aaron Thomas, 39, is the East Coast rapist; investigators reportedly got his DNA off a discarded cigarette. A Marshals' spokesman said a tip from Virginia authorities led them to Thomas. The East Coast Rapist has eluded cops since 1997 , with at least 17 violent attacks linked by DNA in Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The last known attack was in 2009 in Northern Virginia, on two teenage girls headed home from trick-or-treating. More»