WASHINGTON — The man who was convicted, then granted a new trial for the murder of former federal intern Chandra Levy may try to implicate former California Congressman Gary Condit.
Condit was married and having an affair with Levy when she disappeared and was murdered in May 2001.
Lawyers for Ingmar Guandique have said in court filings they may pursue a third-party defense, meaning they’d try to convince jurors Condit, or someone else had motive to kill Levy.
Guandique’s attorneys have requested phone records, photos taken during the search of Condit’s apartment, surveillance video of him, and information about a two-page confidential document detailing Condit’s whereabouts at the time of Levy’s disappearance.
Guandique was previously convicted of Levy’s death, but was granted a new trial this year, after the defense argued a key witness had lied. Guandique has maintained his innocence, and remains in prison for attacks on other women.
Abbe Lowell, Condit’s attorney at the time of the Levy investigation told the Washington Post details sought by the defense have “no possible relevance” to Levy’s death.
“The evidence is so clear that former congressman Condit had nothing to do with the disappearance of Chandra Levy that they may as well be blaming Vladimir Putin,” Lowell said.
A hearing is scheduled for Friday in D.C. Superior Court, as prosecutors and the defense prepare for a retrial.
