Live Q&As

Condit's name was mentioned by the prosecution this morning as a possible witness or someone whose name will be mentioned often in this trial. Prosecutors may want to call Condit to fully explain to jury why he is not a suspect. Also, Condit was one of the last people to see Levy alive.

First, I am very sorry to hear about your brother. One of the issues that made this such a huge media story (I think) was the fact that Levy was having an affair with a popular member of  Congress when she disappeared. I believe if she were not involved with Condit, the story would not have garnered as much media attention.

When I interviewed the Levys for today's story, they were adament that there is no such thing as "closure" when it comes to a parent grieving over a child who was murdered. I think the trial will give them some answers. And if Guandique is convicted, some satisfaction that someone was held accountable for their daughter's slaying, but that's about all.

Mrs. Levy isn't enitrely convinced that Condit was not involved in her daughter's murder, even though police and prosecutors have said he was not a suspect. Mrs. Levy has some very strong opinions about Condit, most of which may stem from the relationship he had with her daughter.

Prosecutors have a very difficult job ahead of them in proving Guandique is the right guy. There is no forensic evidence, no eyewitnesses and only alleged confessions he made to his fellow inmates about killing Levy. Prosecutors also believe because Guandique admitted to attacking two women in Rock Creek Park around the time Levy was killed, he's their guy. There's also a possibilty that prosecutors have other evidence that they plan to unfold during the trial. We'll see.

No.

Very difficult in this city. Jurors want physical evidence, forensic, DNA, eye witnesses, ear witnesses, often more than just hearsay, especially hearsay from other prisoners.

They are still in the jury selection process. They dismissed about 10 prospective jurors this morning because they had conflicts that would not allow them to sit on a 4 to 5-week trial. It will probably take the remainder of the week before they find 14 jurors who have not already formed an opinion about this case based on media coverage, or who don't have some type of bias against Levy, Guandique, Condit, police, lawyers, the government, etc.

El Salvador. And yes, he is an illegal immigrant.

Yes, the defense did request a change of venue and Judge Gerald Fisher denied the request. Such requests are rarely granted with D. C. Superior Court Cases.

Yes, my colleagues Scott Higham and Sari Horwitz did an incredible job on the series and the book, Finding Chandra. Not sure if any of their work will be directly cited during the trial. Unlikely though.

The defense is going to attack the witnesses who were Guandique's cellmates and fellow inmates who claim Guandique admitted to them that he killed Levy. The defense plans to argue, in part, that these witnesses are biased, hoping to gain favor from the government with their own cases. Also, one of the witnesses, allegedly, was sexually assaulted by Guandique when they were in prison together. So the defense plans to argue that he too has a bias against their client.

Good question. I think we know most of the evidence. But Amanda Haines, the lead prosecutor, is good. I bet she has a few cards up her sleeve that she has not played  yet (please forgive that overused metaphor).

In 2002, he was sentenced to 10 years. So he  has about another year or two remaining, depending on if they credit any of his time served.

Guandique is represented by two very dogged attorneys with the District's Public Defender Service. Santha Sonenberg represents some of the District's most violent accused defendants. And has won. She's a veteran with the PDS. Maria Hawilo is less experienced than Sonenberg, but is very well versed in DNA and other forensic areas.

No DNA was found at the scene. Actually the defense attorneys aren't convinced Levy was killed in the park. At one hearing, they told the judge they believe her body or remains were dumped in the park.

I think readers should care about this case primarly because a young girl was killed in this city. I think people should "care" as you say about whenever a person is murdered. The extent to which you care is obviously up to each individual person. Yes, the Levys still believe, or at least Susan Levy, Chandra's mother, believes Condit may have been involved with their daughter's murder. But she's hoping the trial will give answer her questions and rest her concerns.

That's the big question. We'll see if the prosecution can answer it.

Indeed, every family grieves in their own way, which is what the Levys said to me so many times during the time I spent with them. I wouldnt say Chandra's brother Adam is an afterthought. He's trying to move on with his life and doesn't want the spotlight.