Partial transcripts promised in Chandra Levy case

WASHINGTON – The public will soon learn more about the subject of sealed hearings in the Chandra Levy murder case.

Levy was a Washington intern whose 2001 slaying attracted attention because of her romantic relationship with a California congressman. Ingmar Guandique, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was convicted of her murder in 2010. But a judge has been holding sealed post-conviction hearings in recent weeks that could signal a problem with the prosecution.

After a 2 1/2-hour sealed proceeding on Thursday, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Gerald Fisher said redacted, partial transcripts of hearings in December and January will be made available to the public and the media in about a week. A prosecutor said defense lawyers made assertions in those proceedings that the government does not agree with.

At a hearing Wednesday, Guandique entered the courtroom scowling, his hands and feet shackled. His closely cropped hair covered a tattoo on his head, which was shaved at his last appearance.

At the start of the hearing, one of his attorneys placed headphones on Guandique so he could hear a translation of the proceedings.

Guandique was sentenced to 60 years for the kidnapping and murder of the young Washington intern.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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