Suspect pleads ‘not guilty’ to Levy murder

An inmate already serving time for assault pleaded “not guilty” today to charges that in 2001 he murdered Chandra Levy, the 24-year old intern who was reportedly having an affair with then-Rep. Gary Condit (D-Calif.)

Ingmar Guandique is serving a 10 year sentence for assaulting two women near the time Levy was found dead.

More from the AP:

Twenty-seven-year-old Ingmar Guandique was arraigned in District of Columbia Superior Court on six counts, including first-degree murder, kidnapping and attempted sexual abuse. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Guandique listened through a Spanish translator during the hearing. He kept his head down and remained silent, except to reply “si” when asked if he understood the charges.

Judge Geoffrey Alprin set a jury trial, expected to last two weeks, for Jan. 27. Guandique’s public defender, Santha Sonenberg, asked the judge for more time to prepare, but Alprin insisted on the date.