Man Convicted in Chandra Levy's Death Won't be Retried

Prosecutors announced Thursday that they will not retry a man convicted of killing Washington intern Chandra Levy, saying they can no longer prove their case in the 15-year-old slaying that thrust former congressman Gary Condit into the national spotlight. The US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia issued a statement saying it has moved to dismiss the case charging Ingmar Guandique with Levy's 2001 slaying. The AP reports prosecutors concluded they can no longer prove the murder case against Guandique beyond a reasonable doubt, "based on recent unforeseen developments that were investigated over the past week."

Levy's 2001 disappearance created a national sensation after the California native was romantically linked with then-Rep. Gary Condit. The California Democrat was at one point a prime suspect in the investigation. Police eventually cleared him, but Guandique's lawyers tried to raise doubts about Condit at his 2010 trial. Levy's remains were found in a park in 2002. Prosecutors argued her death fit a pattern of attacks Guandique committed on female joggers. He was found guilty in 2010 and sentenced to 60 years in prison. But Guandique was granted a new trial last year after doubts were raised about a jailhouse snitch and key witness. Prosecutors say that as a result of their action Guandique, who is from El Salvador, will be released to the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and faces deportation. (More Chandra Levy stories.)