A New York judge sentenced the man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a Queens jogger to life in prison Tuesday, (April 23) despite there being accusations of a coerced confession and jury misconduct.
Cheers broke out inside a courtroom when 22-year-old Chanel Lewis learned his fate. He spoke briefly in court apologizing to the victim’s family. “I’m innocent,” Lewis said. “I’m sorry for the family’s loss, but I didn’t do this.”
The victim, Karina Vetrano, 30, went jogging on a park trail in Howard Beach, Queens in August 2016 when prosecutors say she was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered. Her body was discovered in August 2016 by her father.
Lewis’ sentencing was initially postponed amid accusations of jury misconduct. However, Judge Michael Aloise decided Monday to move forward with the sentencing. Lewis’ first trial resulted in a hung jury and his defense team stated that a desire to swiftly put the case away led to Tuesday’s sentencing.
“While there is no denying that Karina Vetrano’s death is tragic and that her family and friends suffered a great loss, every aspect of this case – from the police investigation to jury deliberations – was propelled by a desire to convict at all costs,” The Legal Aid Society, which represents Lewis, said in a statement.
Lewis’ defense argued his two-taped confessions were coerced and there wasn’t enough DNA evidence linking him to the crime. During the confession, Lewis reportedly said he was upset at his neighbor for playing loud music and when he saw Vetrano he “lost it.”
He said he strangled the jogger but didn’t sexually assault her. His defense team argued the DNA evidence wasn’t gathered properly and didn’t match the victim’s injuries.
