Chandra Levy's parents testify before grand jury

WASHINGTON -- The parents of Chandra Levy testified Wednesday before a grand jury investigating the intern's death, a sign that the case is moving forward.

Robert and Susan Levy of Modesto made separate appearances before the grand jury and were asked questions about their daughter and Rep. Gary Condit, D-Ceres, according to a source familiar with the testimony. The parents spent much of the day with the D.C. Superior Court grand jury, which meets at the U.S. attorney's office.

"We have to find out who has done this to my daughter," Robert Levy said. He declined to discuss his testimony, but said: "We needed to do it. We have to get things done and find out who did this to Chandra."

Levy said he and his wife "are not finished" pushing authorities to solve the case.

The Levys arrived in Washington on Monday and met Tuesday with investigators and prosecutors. Although they have met numerous times with authorities, Wednesday marked their first grand jury appearance.

It was unclear why the Levys were called before the grand jury at this time or in what direction the investigation is headed.

Chandra Levy, 24, a former federal intern, disappeared April 30, 2001.

Her skeletal remains were found May 22 of this year in Rock Creek Park. D.C. Chief Medical Examiner Jonathan L. Arden ruled her death a homicide but said that he was unable to determine exactly how she died, although he said she may have been strangled.

Condit, 54, who is married, has told police that he was having an affair with Levy but has said from the start that he had nothing to do with her disappearance. Police searched his apartment, subpoenaed his personal records and asked for a DNA sample, but repeatedly have said they have no evidence linking him to Levy's disappearance or homicide.

D.C. police and the FBI in recent months have been looking at a prisoner, Ingmar A. Guandique, who is serving a 10-year sentence for attacking two joggers in Rock Creek Park, not far from where Levy's remains were found.

"The Levy family has always been hopeful that a thorough investigation utilizing the vast tools of the grand jury would provide answers to who murdered their daughter, and hopefully lead to the arrest of that person or persons responsible," said Billy Martin, an attorney representing the family.

The Levys will not publicly discuss the grand jury's questions, Martin said.

"We think the grand jury secrecy will help in this investigation," he said.

The grand jury last year began investigating the disappearance as well as the possibility that Condit and others obstructed justice in the probe.

Among other things, former flight attendant Anne Marie Smith last year alleged that Condit tried to dissuade her from talking to the FBI and tried to persuade her to sign a false affidavit suggesting they never had an affair. Condit denied wrongdoing.

Two of Condit's aides testified last spring before the grand jury, and Condit also was invited to appear. He declined to testify, according to sources familiar with the probe, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.