WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Jury selection will begin Monday for the trial of a man accused killing Washington intern Chandra Levy nine years ago, authorities say.
Prosecutors allege Salvadoran immigrant Ingmar Guandique, 29, killed Levy on May 1, 2001, after an attempted sexual assault as she jogged on a remote trail in Washington's Rock Creek Park, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The disappearance of Levy gripped the nation, embroiled a California congressman in scandal and left people in Washington stunned and frightened.
Legal experts familiar with the prosecution's case say conviction is no sure thing as there are no direct witnesses to the assault and no DNA evidence.
"It's going to be an interesting trial," Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor, said.
Prosecutors are reportedly relying on statements the defendant, serving a 10-year sentence for assaulting two women at knife point in Rock Creek Park about the time of Levy's disappearance, made about Levy to a fellow inmate, the Tribune said.
"The prosecution will have the burden of proving guilt without physical evidence -- which is a challenge -- and the defense will have an opportunity to go after some of the defects in the investigation."
Levy's disappearance made national headlines following reports of a possible affair between her and then-U.S. Rep. Gary Condit, D-Calif., for whom she was an intern.
Condit was questioned by police and the FBI but never declared a suspect. He lost a re-election bid in 2002.
