Jury selection is under way in the trial of Ingmar Guandique, who is accused of killing federal intern Chandra Levy in May 2001.
The first 56 prospective jurors were given two questionnaires Monday morning – one that asks about scheduling, medical or other hardships that might prevent them from serving on the jury in a trial expected to more than a month, and one that largely asks about their views on topics related to the case, including law enforcement, gangs and illegal immigrants.
Two groups of 56 D.C. residents were called Monday to form the pool of prospective jurors for the case. Jury selection could last through Friday. Prosecutors estimated in court Monday that it would take four to five weeks to present their evidence. Defense attorneys said they would take a day to present their case.
Guandique, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, is accused of killing Levy in Rock Creek Park in May 2001 and has been charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault and kidnapping. Levy’s body was found in the park a year later, in May 2002.
