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CNN Live Event/Special

The Search for Chandra: Doctor Levy Addresses the Media

Aired August 13, 2001 - 12:15   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We want to take you live now to Modesto, California. Dr. Robert Levy, the father of Chandra Levy, speaking live from his family's driveway.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

QUESTION: ... in the reporting since your daughter has been missing?

DR. ROBERT LEVY, CHANDRA LEVY'S FATHER: I didn't have any notification of it and I think the paper's been fair. I do believe "The Bee" has been quite fair in everything.

QUESTION: Mr. Condit, in a written statement yesterday, said that he is disappointed that the paper called for his resignation. Any response to his statement?

LEVY: No. No. No. But, no. The focus is still on finding Chandra and that's what we want to think about and, you know...

QUESTION: Doctor, is there anything new today in the investigation, any new leads, any new hope, any you're hearing from the East Coast from law enforcement authorities?

LEVY: Nothing right now. It's early Monday so I don't know if they've been doing anything on the weekend. But, you know, we'll find out. Thank you.

KAGAN: We've been listening to Dr. Robert Levy as he steps outside the driveway of his home in Modesto, California. And, of course, Dr. Levy is the father of Chandra Levy and the media has been having a chance to ask him questions almost on a daily basis as he leaves his home and heads to work as an oncologist. Newsworthy today because over the weekend both the "Modesto" and the "Fresno Bee," two hometown papers for Congressman Gary Condit, calling for his resignation.

With more on that, let's bring in our Rusty Dornin, who is standing outside the "Modesto Bee" this morning -- Rusty, hello.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, it actually makes three newspapers now that are in Condit's district that are calling for his resignation. As you said, the "Fresno Bee," which just covers a portion of his district; of course, his hometown paper, which is a very small newspaper, the "Ceres Courier;" but most importantly, the "Modesto Bee," which was very tough in its editorial.

It said that Condit had violated its public trust in his behavior in the Chandra Levy incident. It said that he had not come out with any defense, showed no remorse and offered no explanation for his behavior and that despite his 30 years of service, that he should have come out and talked to his constituents and explained why he behaved the way he did. The paper in no uncertain terms called his behavior abhorrent.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK VASCH, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, "MODESTO BEE": Because that's what we feel it has been. This isn't your normal case. This is a case that has, you know, potentially the life of a young woman at stake and we just feel for him to have delayed and dodged, really, speaking to the authorities, for example, as long as he did is just unacceptable. We expected more of him and I think we have the right to expect that of the people that we elect and put our trust in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Now, what is unusual about this editorial is that in response Congressman Condit gave a very personal reply, one really from the heart. In the past, any of the accusations and allegations, any of the statements have come through his attorneys or through the P.R. firms. This was spoken in the first person. He said he was very sad and he felt it was very unfair. He was disappeared in how the "Modesto Bee" had approached this. He felt his 30 years of public service, he deserved more. He felt that they should have given him time to sit down with his family and his children before he decided to give a public interview, that he shouldn't have been expected to give in to what he called the media frenzy.

However, he did say he will speak soon, but we do not know when or how -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Rusty Dornin in Modesto. Rusty, thank you.

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