New York Man Who Killed, Sexually Assaulted Jogger Karina Vetrano Gets Life In Prison Without Parole

A New York man on Tuesday was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of a female jogger in 2016, in a case that has drawn national media attention. Judge Michael Aloise called the murder and sexual assault "random, senseless and horrific."

A jury on April 1 found Chanel Lewis, 22, guilty of three counts of murder and one count of sexual abuse of 30-year-old Karina Vetrano. The jury needed less than five hours to deliberate.

Lewis, who was arrested six months after Vetrano's death, reportedly had twice confessed to the killing because he was "mad at her" but did not admit to sexually assaulting Vetrano. His DNA was found on Vetrano's neck and cellphone, while his own phone revealed downloaded pictures of the crime scene as well as a Google search for "arraignment" and DNA testing.

Lewis' lawyers, the Legal Aid Society, contend that the confessions were coerced and questioned the methods in collecting DNA evidence.

Lewis told the judge on Tuesday that he did not kill Vetrano.

"I am innocent and I am sorry for the family’s loss but I didn’t do this," Lewis said.

The Legal Aid Society had called the verdict "a complete miscarriage of justice" and would appeal.

Vetrano's parents' praised the verdict and the sentence.

"[Lewis] has shown absolutely no remorse for his deplorable crimes," Cathy Vetrano said, while Phil Vetrano said, "Karina got justice and the murderer got his justice."