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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Gary Condit Has Fourth Meeting With Investigators Looking Into Chandra Levy's Disappearance

Aired July 27, 2001 - 20:00   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.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Tonight, Congressman Gary Condit meets with investigators for a fourth time. On their minds: the state of Chandra Levy's mind at the time of her disappearance. Is it too little too late?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. SCOTT MCINNIS (R), COLORADO: I would have come up here and grabbed Gary by his collar, by his neck, and said: "Tell me what -- tell me what you know."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: As he told me last night, Colorado Representative Scott McInnis thinks Condit has brought disgrace to Congress, and now he's asking the Ethics Committee to follow up. We'll get an update on the investigation, and I'll have a special interview with D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF CHARLES RAMSEY, WASHINGTON, D.C. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Believe it or not, there is some information that we may have that some of you folks may not have gotten yet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A 14-year-old is sentenced for gunning down his favorite teacher. A moment of rage with lifelong consequences.

And trying to contain nature's fury. As Mount Etna is bathed in fiery lava, we'll go live to the volcano.

Good evening. I'm Wolf Blitzer, reporting tonight from Washington.

I'll get to my interview with D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey shortly, but first the latest developments in the search for missing former Washington intern Chandra Levy. The investigation now has included a fourth interview with California Congressman Gary Condit. The police continue to insist Condit is not a suspect, because there's no evidence yet a crime has been committed, and that's our top story. Searchers have combed wooded areas here in Washington one more time, and authorities have interviewed Gary Condit one more time. Let's go live now to CNN national correspondent Bob Franken for the latest -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, there's always a lot of media intrigue when Condit's handlers want to try and avoid the media frenzy, and once again they pulled it off.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN (voice-over): The House Agriculture Committee hearing dragged into Thursday night, but as members prepared to break for dinner, Congressman Gary Condit had other plans. Shortly before 7:00, Condit slipped out through the underground garage of the Rayburn House office building. He eluded the crush of cameras and headed across town to the office of his attorney, Abbe Lowell. Waiting for him were FBI and police investigators.

RAMSEY: We are not going to talk about the details of what was discussed. All cards are still on the table in terms of interviews and other people that we are talking to, and we are just going to continue to pursue this case.

FRANKEN: Sources tell CNN the nearly 90-minute session focused largely on gathering information for a detailed profile of Chandra Levy. Since Condit, according to police sources, has admitted to an intimate relationship with the 24-year-old former Washington intern, investigators had sought this fourth interviewing, hoping he might have some valuable insights into Levy's behavior, information that could help authorities her.

Back in Levy's home town of Modesto, California, her parents continued to pressure Condit.

SUSAN LEVY, CHANDRA LEVY'S MOTHER: As far as I know, her last phone calls seemed to be coming from specifically...

ROBERT LEVY, CHANDRA LEVY'S FATHER: It's Condit.

S. LEVY: With Condit. So, and a good friend -- if he's a good friend he would come forward and care that a good friend and a constituent is missing.

FRANKEN: Police recruits continued a tedious search through woodlands around Washington, areas where a body could be hidden. Once again, they came up empty, but police plan to try again Monday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: Investigators are quick to admit, Wolf, that the mystery of Chandra Levy's whereabouts is just about as extensive as it was when she disappeared nearly months ago -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Bob, what are their strategies of investigators for future interviews with not only Gary Condit but a lot of other people, presumably?

FRANKEN: Well, just about anybody else might be reinterviewed. Of course, others may be asked to do an interview. The police are still trying to get some new ideas that can advance this investigation.

BLITZER: Bob Franken in Washington, once again thank you very much.

Gary Condit's behavior, meanwhile, is drawing fire on Capitol Hill. Last night, an angry Colorado Congressman Scott McInnis was on our program, and he told me he'll ask fellow lawmakers to draft a new rule, making it clear that it is unethical for a U.S. congressman to have a sexual relationship with an intern.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MCINNIS: You know, we have to assure this nation that this is an institution of honor, and that our interns are not back here for the love making purposes of U.S. congressmen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Today, McInnis followed through, sending a letter to the chairmen of the Rules Committee and the Ethics Committee, proposing they, quote, "strictly prohibit inappropriate relationships between members of Congress and interns."

Later in our program, my special interview with D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey. But in other news tonight, Nathaniel Brazill, just 14 years old, was sentenced today for killing his teacher in a Florida classroom. Let's go live to West Palm Beach and CNN's Mark Potter for details -- Mark.

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Nathaniel Brazill drew a long prison sentence, but not nearly as long as his attorneys and families had feared. The victim's family is disappointed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POTTER (voice-over): Nathaniel Brazill could have been sentenced anywhere from 25 years to life in prison for shooting and killing teacher Barry Grunow last year. The term imposed by Judge Richard Wennet surprised virtually everyone involved in the case.

JUDGE RICHARD WENNET, PALM BEACH CIRCUIT COURT: That as to the murder of Mr. Grunow, he'd be sentenced to a term of 28 years in the Department of Corrections.

POTTER: Given the options, 28 years was a clear victory for Nathaniel Brazill and the defense team. They had expected much worse.

ROBERT UDELL, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Given where we are, given the fact that the judge previously ruled that he had to impose the 25-year sentence, given that the family and the state was asking for life, I'm thrilled. But I don't agree with it. POTTER: The defense contends the sentence is still too harsh for a 14-year-old boy and plans to appeal the case. Brazill's parents say they're relieved by the outcome.

NATHANIEL BRAZILL SR., NATHANIEL BRAZILL'S FATHER: In my opinion, the judge really considered all the testimony, he considered everything. A 28-year sentence is a lot less than we would have expected. We will live with it, but it's not over.

POTTER: Brazill was convicted of second degree murder. Members of the Grunow family, along with prosecutors, recommended a life prison sentence. They were upset with the judge's decision.

KAY NICHOLS, BARRY GRUNOW'S SISTER: He sat in the same courtroom that we did, he saw the same tape that we did. As far as we are concerned, it's first degree murder, and to only sentence him for 28 years is an insult to Barry's memory.

POTTER: Prosecutor Marc Shiner says he hopes Nathaniel Brazill will be rehabilitated in prison. He was asked if he really thought it would happen.

MARC SHINER, PROSECUTOR: Like I said, I'm not going to gamble my paycheck on it, but I hope -- I hope he does become a lot better person.

POTTER: After being evaluated at a prison processing center, Brazill will begin serving his sentence. The judge recommended he be placed in a facility for youthful offenders.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

POTTER: Now, with credit for time served, Brazill will likely get out of prison when he's 41 years old. He still faces another charge, solicitation to commit perjury, but indications are that it will be dropped -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Mark Potter in West Palm Beach, thank you very much.

In other news, United Airlines and U.S. Airways have made official, calling off their proposed merger. The move came after the Justice Department today said it would file suit to block the deal. Attorney General John Ashcroft said: "It would force millions of consumers to pay higher fares and accept lower quality service." United already had signaled it would back away from the deal, because of the antitrust concerns.

Citing "the possibility of civil unrest or terror threats," the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, has placed Jerusalem off limits to all embassy staff and their families this weekend. The concern is that violence may coincide with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, which marks the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem. An advisory urges U.S. citizens in the area to exercise extreme caution.

What did authorities learn from their latest interview with Congressman Gary Condit? I'll ask D.C. metropolitan police Chief Charles Ramsey.

Also, rivers of fire. What lies in their path? The latest from Mount Etna.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Now that they've had a fourth interview with Congressman Gary Condit, have law enforcement authorities learned anything new about the disappearance of Chandra Levy? A short while ago I spoke with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Charles Ramsey who was just outside FBI headquarters here in Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

Chief Ramsey, thank you very much for joining us once again. Let me begin with a question millions of Americans are asking right now: Are you any closer today than you were a week ago to finding out what happened to Chandra Levy?

CHIEF CHARLES RAMSEY, D.C. METROPOLITAN POLICE: Well, certainly we have to go through the most recent information that we have, but quite frankly, right now we are about where we were a week ago unfortunately. We still don't know what happened to her.

BLITZER: Of course within the past week, in fact, last night you met for the fourth time with Congressman Gary Condit. Was he helpful at all in helping you learn something about her whereabouts?

RAMSEY: Well, the whole purpose of the meeting, which was conducted with MPD and FBI, working together was just to try to get more information that might help us, lead us, to the whereabouts of Chandra Levy. We are not discussing the details of the meeting, including whether or not in our opinion the information was helpful or not.

Investigators are actually going through all that material as well as other material just to see what it adds up to.

BLITZER: The spokeswoman for Congressman Condit issued a statement afterwards saying this, she said, "Thursday evening as a result of a request by the FBI, Congressman Condit met for an hour and a half with representatives of both the FBI and the MPD to assist the FBI in compiling an more detailed profile of Chandra Levy."

Is she right? Was that the only purpose of that meeting with Congressman Condit?

RAMSEY: Well again, you know I have no control over what they release in terms of the information they give out publicly, but we have decided not to talk about the content of the meeting. Any of the information that might have been divulged during the course of that meeting, it was at the request of both MPD and FBI once again.

This is not an FBI investigation, this is an MPD investigation and we are being assisted by the FBI. BLITZER: And the MPD of course is the Metropolitan Police Department. So basically what you are saying is you don't want to say if it was a simply a profiling interview or if there were other questions beyond the nature of trying to profile Chandra Levy. Is that correct?

RAMSEY: It's a combination of a lot of things. We are just trying to get as much information as we can that might lead to us the whereabouts of Chandra Levy. That's all we are trying to do and I know that a lot of people will be speculating over the latest meeting. But we are moving forward in this investigation the best we can. The congressman has provided information for us. We've got other people that we've talked to, other people that we are going to talk to, and hopefully all that will be able to put together some more pieces in this puzzle.

BLITZER: Can you tell us whether the congressman is fully cooperating with your investigation?

BLITZER: Well, he certainly was there yesterday, and was able to provide some additional information. Again we are trying not to characterize things one way or the other. We are just simply trying to get through this investigation the best we can as thoroughly as we can, so that we cover everything that needs to be covered and hopefully it will lead to finding her whereabouts.

So you know, he made himself available again. That certainly is appreciated. If we need him again, that door is always open. If we need other people, that door is open as well. So this isn't a one- person investigation that we are conducting. We really have a pretty broad-ranging investigation.

BLITZER: In terms of his cooperation so far at least, one area where he doesn't appear to be cooperating is with your request for a polygraph, a police administered or FBI administered polygraph. The last time you were on this program you told me that you were more than interested in having such a polygraph. Any progress at all in getting him to agree to such a polygraph?

RAMSEY: Well we would still be interested, but I'm not aware of any progress specifically that's been made and whether or not at the end of all these different interviews and the information we are getting whether there's a need for an additional one. Certainly if the investigators feel that that would be helpful, then we will be asking again that he submit.

But it has to be value-added and I think that's something that's very important. We don't want to do things for the sake of doing it. We want to do something that adds value to the investigation, that can lead us to places that we aren't already aware of the facts.

BLITZER: So at this point you put the request for a polygraph on hold, or are you still asking for another polygraph?

RAMSEY: Well right now we got the fourth interview in and that information will go through all that, and see whether or not we feel a polygraph would add any value, as I said before. Again the one that was done privately wasn't of much use because it couldn't be validated. But whether or not one that was privately or administered the FBI and MPD, whether or not they would submit to that is a matter that we are certainly open to discuss but whether or not it bears any fruit, I really don't know.

BLITZER: And just to be precise, he is still not considered a suspect by the police department, is that right?

RAMSEY: That's right. We are not considering anyone a suspect at this time because we still don't have a crime. We still don't know whether or not she met with foul play, whether or not she's missing on her own accord, obviously the more days that go by the more concerned we become. But what is baffling about this case is that we've not been able to come up with any kind of evidence that really puts us down any particular path. And there is a lot of speculation, but we can't afford to speculate. We have to deal in fact.

BLITZER: And as far as we know you've only had one interview, one meeting so far with his wife, Caroline Condit. Would you like another meeting with her?

Again, if that's something the investigators feel they need to do, we will reach out and do it. It has to add value. I'm not aware of any imminent plans to request such an interview, but just like all the people that we have interviewed throughout this process, we leave that door open. And if we think there are more answers that need to be given, we won't be afraid to ask them.

BLITZER: You know that some of the residents of Chandra Levy's apartment building have complained publicly. And I want to give you a chance to respond that they don't believe that police have been aggressive enough in reaching out, questioning many of them. Some people saying, some neighbors of her's, they haven't even been questioned up until this very moment.

How do you respond to that kind of criticism?

RAMSEY: Well, we have canvassed that building on more than one occasion. Sometimes we just don't catch people at home. We have left notes under their door, and so forth. We have gotten the majority of the people in that building.

But again, despite what the perception might be, I don't have my entire department working on this case. We have other cases that we are involved in and we are trying to take a very methodical approach to get all the information and do very, very thorough interviews. So if there's anyone out there who feels they've been overlooked they certainly know how to reach to us. We will continue to try to make arrangements to meet people face to face.

But we have also had a couple doors slammed in our face. So again I mean, it's one of those things where half the people think you're doing too much, the other half don't think you're doing enough.

BLITZER: Have the searches in the parks stopped? RAMSEY: No, they haven't stopped. They have suspended for the rest of today. The recruits will take the weekend off because it's their regular scheduled days off. We will start again Monday. We figure it will take at least until the end of next week before we complete that search. But we are more than halfway finished with that and once we are finished, then we will take a look what we have got.

But so far we've not recovered anything to my knowledge that brings us any closer.

BLITZER: Chief Ramsey, good luck to you. Thank you very much for joining us.

RAMSEY: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And as burning streams of lava surged down Mt. Etna we will go live to the slopes of the volcano.

And a new report: Could your kids be exposed to filter-proof Internet pornography?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. More sights of fury and fascination from Mount Etna in Italy. Europe's most active volcano is keeping up a spectacular display, and the eruption is keeping emergency crews busy trying to protect structures in the path of the slow-moving lava. CNN's Matthew Chance joins us once again live from the site in Sicily.

Matthew, tell us what's happening.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the latest, of course, is that Europe's biggest active volcano is still very much engulfed in an intensive eruption. You can make out those red glows behind me there. Let me just step out of the way of the camera for a moment so you can get a really good picture of the kind of awesome sights we're experiencing here on the slopes of Mt. Etna. Those are red plumes of fire, molten rock, of course, being spewed high into the skies over Mt. Etna.

We're also seeing powerful lava flow still moving relentlessly down these southern slopes. Even as we speak, though, Wolf, as you mentioned, there are Italian emergency teams working around the clock building earth defenses, trying to divert that flow away from populated areas and from property, building earth bridges with bulldozers, in an attempt to try and stem that flow, or at least to divert it.

In short then, still a very serious situation here with very little sign that this eruption is coming to an early end.

BLITZER: And Matthew, what are the projections among the experts out there of future eruptions, additional eruptions down the road? CHANCE: Well, in fact the experts at the moment are remaining very tight-lipped, because in the past few days there have been predictions from imminent volcanologists that the worst of this eruption was over and what we would be see, rather than what we're seeing now, is a period of calm. That quite clearly is not what we're seeing. This eruption appears to have taken on a new momentum, underlining the fact that this volcano particularly is especially unpredictable, Wolf.

BLITZER: Matthew Chance on the slopes of Mt. Etna. Thank you very much for joining us once again.

And those spectacular pictures from the rumbling volcano have understandably piqued public interest. You can find out more in a CNN tonight report tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, "When Volcanoes Erupt." Tune in tonight at 10:00 Eastern.

Tonight on the "Leading Edge": signs of danger lurking in your child's computer. A new Congressional report says an Internet file- sharing program, popular with teenagers, exposes them to pornography. The report says the origins of the pornographic files are untraceable, and there's no technology that allows parents to filter them out.

Doctors in Kentucky say the man with the world's first self- contained artificial heart is standing and walking short distances. The hospital says he is off a ventilator, his kidney and liver functions are stable and his lungs are clear.

As President Bush considers whether to allow federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, a study out today offers promise for using stem cells to repair a damaged brain in an unborn child. Researchers say human neural stem cells injected into the skulls of three unborn monkeys became an active participating part of the animal's brains.

A new nasal flu spray is effective, but not safe. That conclusion today from an advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration. Those who voted against approval of flu mist said there was not enough data about its effect on children younger than 2.

Up next, I'll open my mailbag. My interview last night with Congressman Scott McInnis and his condemnation of Gary Condit generated lots of reaction. I'll share some of it with you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A shot on National Airport here in Washington. Welcome back.

Time now to open our mailbag. My interview last night with Republican Congressman Scott McInnis of Colorado generated lots of reaction. Nanette from Louisiana reflected a widespread view: "Bravo to Representative Scott McInnis for breaking the silence about Condit's behavior. This individual is doing more harm to Congress' image than any other."

Juanita in Alabama: "At last there is one person in Congress that has come out and spoke against Condit's behavior."

Mary Ann adds this: "It was great to see Congressman McInnis stand up like a strong, honest, noble public servant and speak the truth. Great exclusive."

And Jan from Massachusetts: "Condit is hiding behind his office now. He should be a mensch and resign."

But K.P.D. has a different perspective: "I'm not a Democrat but I do believe that we should hear all sides. I also believe that people like our Colorado representative should learn to follow the laws of our legal system and not condemn a person until all the facts are in."

Remember, I want to hear from you. Please e-mail me at wolf@cnn.com. And you can read my daily online column and sign up for my e-mail previewing our nightly programs by going to my Web site: cnn.com/wolf.

Please stay with CNN throughout the night. "Politically Incorrect's" Bill Maher is Larry King's guest at the top of the hour. Up next, Greta Van Susteren. She's standing by to tell us what she has -- Greta?

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST, CNN'S "THE POINT": Wolf, I have a lot tonight. Erin Brokovich, remember her name? Julia Roberts played her in a movie of the same name. Well, she's got another case. This time, upstate New York.

Plus, the lawyer for Nathaniel, who is sentenced today to 28 years -- a 14-year-old accused and convicted of second degree murder.

Plus, "Missing in America." A bizarre tale, and Kelly Arena joins me to give the latest on the Condit story -- Wolf.

BLITZER: OK, Greta, sounds great. We'll be watching. Don't forget, among the guests Sunday on "LATE EDITION," National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt. That's Sunday, noon Eastern.

Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. "THE POINT WITH GRETA VAN SUSTEREN" begins right now.

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