Some feel bad for Condit, others don't

By Ken Carlson
kcarlson@modbee.com

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CERES — In this city where Gary Condit launched his political career, people had mixed reactions Tuesday to news that an arrest warrant had been issued for the man suspected of killing Chandra Levy.

Adrian Condit, the father of Gary Condit, said he was pleased about the break in the eight-year investigation by Washington, D.C., police into Levy's disappearance and death. He declined to discuss what it meant for his son's reputation.

"We thank God that they finally came to the place where they believe they caught the man that killed Chandra Levy," he said. "Our heartfelt sympathy has always been with the Levy family."

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Condit has a chance to re-enter public life
Poll:

If Gary Condit got back into politics, would you vote for him?

Yes, certainly. He was unfairly tainted by the media over the Levy case

I'm not sure. I'd keep an open mind.

No way. His fall from politics was his own doing.

Your vote has been counted, thank you for voting.

Condit's political career — which began as mayor of Ceres and continued through the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors and state Legislature before he was elected to Congress in 1989 — wilted under scrutiny about his reported relationship with Levy, a former Bureau of Prisons intern from Modesto. Condit and his wife, Carolyn, moved to Arizona after he lost a congressional re-election bid in 2002.

"It is a shame that Gary was drug into this whole mess," said Eric Ingwerson, a former Ceres mayor. "It looks like he was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Janet Lucas of Hilmar felt "Condit got a raw deal. They just accused him without having the evidence and made his life miserable," she said.

Sherry Wilson of Ceres said the media treated Condit unfairly. "They crucified the guy. He didn't get a very fair break. He ended up having to leave the community. He deserves a public apology."

In conservative Ceres, not everyone expressed sympathy that Condit's political career ended.

"I think it is clear he committed adultery," said Roy Spears. "I think he got his due."

Others said they understood why the cameras and police focused attention on Condit. Even though he was questioned and his Washington apartment searched, the police never said Condit was a suspect.

Clayton Guzman, Ceres Cemetery manager, said he felt Condit was elusive about his relationship with Levy.

"I'd like to see what the evidence is (against Guandique)," Guzman said. "I'd like to see the whole process brought to a conclusion."

Ingwerson was amazed that the investigation took so long.

"It is unusual it took until now to realize this is the gentleman who allegedly did it, when he had already attacked two women in the same park," he said.

Bee staff writer Ken Carlson can be reached at kcarlson@modbee.com or 578-2321.