Defender of Levy's alleged killer suggests park was not the crime scene

The attorneys representing Ingmar Guandique told a D.C. Superior Court judge on Friday that they believe that Chandra Levy was killed somewhere other than Rock Creek Park, where the former congressional intern's remains were found.

Maria Hawilo, of the Public Defender Service, asked Judge Geoffery Alprin to require the government to submit more than 82 pieces of evidence found not only in Rock Creek Park, where authorities discovered Levy's remains a year after she disappeared in May 2001, but also items found in Levy's apartment and the apartment of then-Rep. Gary A. Condit (D-Calif), with whom Levy was having an affair.

Hawilo said Guandique's attorneys want to test and review items from areas outside the park because "we don't believe the park is the crime scene." Guandique, 28, was arrested in April and charged with first-degree murder in Levy's killing.

Prosecutors alleged Guandique killed Levy while she was jogging in the park. They objected to the request, saying the defense was asking for the items to delay the trial, which is scheduled for Jan. 27.

Alprin rejected Hawilo's request and signed an order that required prosecutors to only turn over evidence found in the park near where the remains were found.