A Brooklyn, N.Y., man, who is accused of rape and murder in the death of 30-year-old jogger Karina Vetrano was formally indicted by a Queens, N.Y., grand jury Wednesday on four counts of first-degree murder, five counts of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse.
Chanel Lewis, 20, is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted on the counts, the New York Post reports. Vetrano was last seen in August of last year before going on her run, when she headed out alone on a park trail near her home.
Cops say they believe that Lewis attacked Vetrano as she ran through the marshy area. Her body was later found by her father.
Lewis was arrested in February with the use of DNA evidence. Lewis’ family has insisted that the 20-year-old is innocent. However, authorities say Lewis told them that he killed Vetrano because he was “angry.”
“I was angry. I had some issues at home. I just lost it. When I saw her, I just hit her and kept hitting her. I hit her and choked her,’’ he allegedly said after his arrest.
Read more at the New York Post.