NYC Man Charged With Murder in Runner's Death

Karina Vetrano was attacked while out running last August
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 6, 2017 8:35 PM CDT
NYC Man Charged With Murder in Runner's Death
In this Aug. 6, 2016, photo, mourners carry the casket of Karina Vetrano from St. Helen's Church following her funeral in the Howard Beach section of the Queens borough of New York.   (Steven Sunshine/Newsday via AP)

A man accused of the strangulation death of a New York City runner has been indicted on first-degree murder charges, the AP reports. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown says the 13-count indictment also charges Chanel Lewis with sexual abuse. Karina Vetrano was attacked while running near her home on Aug. 2. Her father found her badly beaten body in a secluded marsh. Philip Vetrano said he and his wife are pleased with the grand jury's decision.

Police said evidence included genetic material found under Vetrano's fingernails and on her phone and neck. The Legal Aid Society says it has concerns about how DNA was collected and about "the overall reliability" of evidence. Lewis' mother says he has mental health problems and would not hurt anybody. (More murder stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X