A jury in new York on the evening of April 1, recognized the Chanel Lewis guilty of murder in the runner Karina Vetrano in Queens in 2016.
Chanel Jury finds Lewis guilty in death of Queens jogger Karina Vetrano https://t.co/CvSmjzOkn5 pic.twitter.com/M1hKutYwcR
— PIX11 News (@PIX11News) April 2, 2019
The decision was taken after five hours of discussion, during the re-trial, which began in mid-March. Lewis was found guilty on all counts. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
30-year-old Karina Vetrano raped and killed when she ran in the Park in Howard beach (Queens) in August 2016. Her father, who helped in the search, found the body.
«For a long time this woman’s murder remained a mystery, said chief assistant district attorney John M. Ryan. — Last year, the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Today, after five hours of discussion and careful consideration of all the evidence, the jury found Lewis guilty. I hope that as this case comes to an end, it will give the victim’s family some comfort. They will know that the killer Karina will spend the rest of his life behind bars.»
Applause erupted in the courtroom from the Vetrano family when they heard that Chanel Lewis had been found guilty in the murder of Karina Vetrano. https://t.co/VSwtmKsrJE pic.twitter.com/jXZj3gBY9X
— Spectrum NY1 News (@NY1) April 2, 2019
Earlier, on April 1, lawyers for Lewis filed a motion for new trial, stating that they received an anonymous letter talks about other possible suspects. Lawyers for the accused also pointed out that their client has not received a fair trial because of his race. However, the judge of the petition have not accepted and allowed the jury to reach a verdict. Lawyers for Lewis have said they will appeal.
Early in the investigation, DNAfound under the nails Karina Vetrano that desperately defended, didn’t match. During the subsequent DNA analysis of Lewis, according to experts, coincided with those found at the crime scene. Chanel Lewis also confessed to the murder of Karina Vetrano, but his attorneys said the confession was made under duress.
