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American Morning
Memorial Service to be held for Chandra Levy
Aired May 28, 2002 - 10:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: Also today, a memorial service will be held later on for Chandra Levy. Of course, the former Washington intern who's disappearance triggered a year-long investigation, a media frenzy. But before her family gathers, the medical examiner's in Washington will release it's findings. And that's expected just over an hour from now -- we will bring that to you.
CNN's national correspondent Bob Franken joins us now from police headquarters. Bob what do you think we will hear with this announcement?
BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the investigators believe what they will hear is that this was, in fact, a homicide and when that occurs, all of the activity will revert to the police headquarters. Here, where there will be just a different official approach to the investigation now. Police have always said that they always treated this as this could be a homicide and that their approach will be the same, but it takes on certain official connotations, relationships with witnesses, that type of thing -- that it will be officially designated a crime.
That's assuming that at 11:30, the medical examiner's office at 11:30 Eastern, at his office not far from here will come out and say it was a homicide. What we probably will not hear, according to detectives, we will not hear a lot of the details about the manner of death. That is the kind of thing that requires a longer investigation. But there will be an official designation which is announced by the medical examiner a little bit later today. Now this, of course, follows just a little bit less than a week from the time when Chandra Levy's remains were discovered in the municipal park, Rock Creek Park, not far from here. Since that time, the investigators have been going through looking for remains, looking for articles of clothing, looking for possible evidence that could be useful if, in fact, this turns into a homicide investigation.
Chandra Levy, the 24-year-old former Washington intern, when she disappeared last year, she, of course, became such an international case because of the interest in her relationship with Congressman Gary Condit of California. Condit has, because of the scandal that erupted after it became known he had a romantic relationship with Chandra Levy, was defeated in his efforts for reelection. But now, once again, it gets to the fundamentals.
What was the exact cause of death? The official designation, with every expectation, it will be declared a homicide when the medical examiner, in a little bit over an hour, makes his announcement -- Kris
OSBORN: You know, Bob, you mention some of those articles of clothing. What's your sense, in terms of from an investigative point of view, which things may have helped them get ready for this announcement we're about to hear at 11:30?
There has been some talk about how the articles of clothing may have been far more helpful than the remains themselves, given the length of time that she was there.
FRANKEN: As a matter of fact, I was talking to one of the experts today on this -- somebody at the police department who certainly won't want to be quoted by name -- and it's the kind of thing where you would be looking for blood, that type of thing which might be in the articles of clothing. Without getting much more specific than this, if it was a stab wound, for instance, sometimes the skeletal remains will show a nick at a very critical spot that. That is the type of thing they would be looking for.
Again, all they are trying to determine now, if the evidence is strongly suggestive of a homicide. Investigators have always operated on that premise, and they are assuming, that is going to be the base. I will point out, Kris, that once the medical examiner makes his statement, we will expect at some point, thereafter, the police chief will also come out and talk with reporters. Obviously, again, once the ME -- to use the term that is so often used -- once he takes his role in this, it again becomes a police investigation, the story is back here.
OSBORN: Bob, thank you very much, coming to us live from Washington and, of course, highlighting the medical examiner's news conference, and expected at 11:30 Eastern time. That is not very far away; we will bring that to you live, of course, and all of the developments as they unfold this morning. Now let's check in with someone who has been closely following this drama as well, and its far-reaching impact.
Mike Doyle is the Washington bureau chief of the Modesto Bee, that's the hometown newspaper for both the Levy family and Gary Condit's congressional district.
Mr. Doyle, how are you doing today?
MIKE DOYLE, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, MODESTO BEE: I'm very fine, thank you.
OSBORN: Obviously, if the announcement at 11:30 is as we expect, you just heard from Bob Franken there -- where do we go from here?
DOYLE: Well, the police investigators, as Bob Franken were saying, would then have a clearer roadmap of where to take their case as they look at what clues they have been able to pick up at the crime scene. In terms of Mr. Condit, I think we should listen carefully to what his attorney and designated spokesman said Mark Geragos says tonight later on "Larry King Live." You may expect to hear terms like exoneration as the congressman seeks it turn the attention toward the solving of Chandra Levy's murder and away from him and whatever his relationship was with her.
OSBORN: Mr. Doyle, what about later tonight as well, out in Modesto, there is a memorial planned. What are you hearing or what is your understanding of what the family would like for the memorial. And it certainly seems no small significance that that takes place on the same day as this news conference.
DOYLE: Well, it is a striking occurrence that it is at the same time. I think we expect to see human anguish mediated by art. We're going to hear the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Quartet play, we'll hear a synagogue choir sing, we'll hear poetry read. There may be as many as 1600 or more people at this service. I think the idea is to bring together ,in one moment, both the family's anguish and recognition of the way that Chandra Levy touched people's lives.
OSBORN: You mentioned how these findings may, in fact, wind up exonerating Congressman Condit. What about what we've heard so much about, being out there if California, he has not made any public statement, and suggested that perhaps he should. What are you hearing about that?
DOYLE: Well first, I'm not saying the findings exonerate anybody. I think we will expect his attorney to say that findings will exonerate the congressman. The congressman's modis operandi for the past year is to not talk to the press, to avoid cameras, and issue statements asserting sympathy through his spokesman and attorney. That's what he did last week. I would expect would he not come out today, in public, leave that speaking part to his lawyer.
OSBORN: Now what about the D.C. Police Department? Have you heard anything about criticisms they might have received as a result of her remains being in Rock Creek Park for so long?
DOYLE: Well, the attorney for Mr. Condit, Mark Geragos, did call it -- quote -- mind-boggling that the police were not able to determine her remains that excited a sharper tort from the D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey there. There has been criticism, certainly, of the D.C. police, and you do here it extensively from the Condit camp. It is a question of how much perfection can be expected in a very complicated investigation that took place under intense scrutiny.
OSBORN: Mike Doyle, Washington bureau chief of the Modesto Bee, we appreciate your time in joining us on this significant situation this morning.
DOYLE: My pleasure.
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