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American Morning
Interview with Ellen Levin
Aired June 26, 2002 - 07:16 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It was a sensational murder case that made headlines and spawned numerous television movies. Robert Chambers, the so-called "preppie killer," went to prison in 1988 for the murder of 18-year-old Jennifer Levin two years earlier. In a videotaped confession, Chambers claimed they had -- quote-unquote -- "rough sex" in Central Park here in New York City, and he accidentally killed her at that time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT CHAMBERS, CONVICTED KILLER: So I stood up, and I pulled up my pants, and I said, "Jennifer, let's go, let's get out of here, now." But she didn't move. And I still thought she was just kidding around. So I came over and I shook the body...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You thought she was kidding around?
CHAMBERS: ... just lying there, not moving. I thought she was trying to scare me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: After 14 years behind bars, there is word that Robert Chambers could go free sometime early next year. With her reaction today, Jennifer Levin's mother, Ellen Levin, is with us this morning in New York -- good morning to you.
ELLEN LEVIN, JENNIFER LEVIN'S MOTHER: Good morning.
HEMMER: How many times have you heard that tape?
LEVIN: Too many times. Yes, I have -- you know, over the years, it's you learn to get on with your life, but there is nothing that ever fills that void when you lose a child.
HEMMER: Hearing that voice makes you feel how?
LEVIN: Sad, very sad. As I said, you know, it's so many years later, and yet, it's like it was yesterday, the horror of the murder, his made-up confession and how it tainted my daughter's reputation, the circus media that surrounded it. It's really taken its toll on me and my family.
HEMMER: You know the reality states that possibly in early 2003, Robert Chambers could be walking the streets of New York City once again. Have you thought about that day when it arrives?
LEVIN: Well, I have thought about it. I -- you know, the prison system and our justice system is very strange. I know that Robert Chambers has numerous infractions in prison, some involving drugs. I guess if you are in prison, you can get away with all of that stuff. If he was on the street, he would be arrested for the things that happened. And I just wonder, you know, how this comes about that if you can't behave behind bars that we expect somebody like that to behave on the street.
HEMMER: Go back to my question here for a moment. Have you prepared yourself for that day?
LEVIN: I don't know how you prepare yourself for that. I mean, you know, there is nothing -- to be perfectly honest, there is nothing that's going to bring Jennifer back. No matter what happens to Robert Chambers, I am not going to have my daughter back. I do feel that, you know, justice would have been served better if he spent a longer time in jail, because he did commit a murder. So I am not happy about it really.
HEMMER: Yes, as you know, state law, under the plea, he pled guilty to manslaughter...
LEVIN: Yes.
HEMMER: ... 5 to 15 years behind bars. He has not been a model prisoner, as you pointed out here.
LEVIN: Exactly.
HEMMER: But the law states he can walk free.
LEVIN: Absolutely, Bill. I mean, there is really nothing that any of us can do about it. I guess I am just prepared for the fact that he will be released. And I understand that he is planning to be back in New York City, and that doesn't make me comfortable.
HEMMER: Has there ever been any contact...
LEVIN: Not at all.
HEMMER: ... since 1986, 1988...
LEVIN: None at all, nothing. No.
HEMMER: Would you like to have contact?
LEVIN: No, I don't think so.
HEMMER: The reason I ask that is because many times families, the victims, the survivors of crimes like these or other crimes, say that, you know what? If I could just have a minute with him or her, I'd like to ask him what?
LEVIN: You know, if I thought I would get anything from that, not only from me but from him, I might be willing to do that, even anxious to do that. But he has never taken responsibility for the crime. He has never shown any remorse. I believe he still is thinking that he didn't commit it, or you know, it was some kind of horrible accident. I know that part of the reason he hasn't been out on parole in his earlier hearings is that he just cannot take the responsibility for the crime he committed, and has not shown any remorse. And I really would not like to confront that. That would make me extremely angry.
HEMMER: Let's go to 2002 right now, if we could. We'll put the '80s behind us.
LEVIN: OK.
HEMMER: Some good things have actually come out of this case, if you can use the word "good."
LEVIN: Yes.
HEMMER: You have started a program, Justice for All. You have lectured at colleges. You talk to younger women across this country.
LEVIN: Yes.
HEMMER: And your message to them is what?
LEVIN: Well, first of all, I am very proud of all of the legislation I was able to pass the 10 years that I worked in Albany lobbying for victims' rights. We started Justice for All, one of the first lobby for victims groups in America, able to pass laws like allowing victims to speak in court. It's called a sentencing allocution. And that came directly out of our case.
My ex-husband wanted to read a statement in court at Jennifer's sentencing phase, and the judge would not allow it. I got angry. You know, anger is a big motivator. I really -- I felt if I ever lived through this trial that I would want to do something that allowed victims a voice in court.
HEMMER: And when you do those things today, you do it in the memory of your daughter, I am sure.
LEVIN: I do. It's my daughter's energy...
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: And you think of her every time, I am sure.
LEVIN: Of course.
HEMMER: Yes.
LEVIN: Of course.
HEMMER: Good luck, OK?
LEVIN: Thank you.
HEMMER: Ellen Levin, thanks for coming in.
LEVIN: Thanks.
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