Police find more of Levy's bones; Condit aide testifies

Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON (AP) -- A grand jury investigating Chandra Levy's homicide and whether Rep. Gary Condit obstructed justice in the case has heard from the congressman's top aide. Police also have found more of Levy's bones.

Mike Lynch, Condit's California-based chief of staff, answered questions Friday in front of a District of Columbia Superior Court grand jury, Beth Wilkinson, Lynch's lawyer said Wednesday.

"He cooperated fully with the investigators and prosecutors and answered all questions in a candid and forthright manner," Wilkinson said.

Lynch last year publicly denied Condit and Levy were having an affair. A month later, Condit told investigators that he and Levy were romantically involved, according to police sources.

The grand jury earlier this year subpoenaed Condit to testify. However, it is unclear whether the California Democrat ever did. Last fall, the grand jury subpoenaed documents from Condit's office, including telephone message slips and calendars.

Federal law enforcement officials have said they are examining whether Condit and his aides asked other women who alleged they had affairs with the congressman not to cooperate with police. Condit and his aides have denied attempting to silence anyone.

Anne Marie Smith, a flight attendant, alleged she and Condit had a 10-month affair and that Condit sought to dissuade her from talking to FBI investigators in the Levy case. Smith also has said Condit and his intermediaries tried to get her to sign a false affidavit denying they had an affair.

Condit has not denied an affair with Smith, but has said he never asked her to sign anything that was fraudulent.

Meantime, police searching the area of Washington's Rock Creek Park where Levy's remains were discovered last month have found more bones.

"The medical examiner told us that two small bones, no more than two inches long, are consistent with other bones in Levy's foot," said Sgt. Joe Gentile, a police spokesman. The bones were found Monday.

A foot-long bone found Tuesday is being analyzed by the medical examiner, Dr. Jonathan Arden, Gentile said.

Police searching the area now are being helped by trained, volunteer searchers from the Fraternal Order of Police.

The FBI crime lab also is continuing to examine twisted wire and Levy's shinbone that were found last week by investigators hired by her parents.

Police were criticized for not finding the items during a weeklong search of the park after Levy's remains were found May 22 by a man walking his dog. Police also searched the park shortly after Levy disappeared last year, but Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey has acknowledged searchers did not go over the general area where the remains were found.

Arden examined the original remains, which included Levy's clothing, and determined she was a homicide victim. But he said he could not determine how she was killed.

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Washington police: http://www.mpdc.dc.gov