Chandra Levy Killer's Appeal Roiled by Mystery

Two years after Ingmar Guandique was found guilty of the 2001 murder of Chandra Levy, mysterious new information that could undermine a prosecution witness has reportedly emerged—and it's apparently so serious that lawyers on both sides have met in secret hearings, reports USA Today. With court proceedings sealed, no one knows what the issue is or even which witness is in question, but lawyers for both the Justice Department and Guandique have appeared in court twice since December.

Guandique's appeal has been put on hold while this new issue is sorted out; the superior court judge has ordered Guandique, who is serving a 60-year sentence, to appear before him on Feb. 7. The judge originally said the secrecy was due to "safety concerns," and USA Today notes that the courtroom doors were even locked during one of the closed hearings. Levy's parents are in the dark about the new info, but say, "We hope they don't let a rapist and murderer out because of some technicality." (More Chandra Levy stories.)