Chanel Lewis sentencing postponed in Karina Vetrano murder amid allegations of juror misconduct
HOWARD BEACH, Queens (WABC) -- The sentencing for Chanel Lewis, the man convicted of murdering Queens jogger Karina Vetrano, was postponed Wednesday amid allegations of juror misconduct.
A hearing is now scheduled for Monday on the new allegations, with sentencing tentatively set for Tuesday.
The prosecution denies the allegations, but both sides agreed that a hearing should go forward. The details of the alleged misconduct were not released, but the prosecutor said a thorough investigation had taken place and described them as "unfounded."
"We believe, in the interest of justice, that a hearing should be held so that this court can see and that the public can see this was a valid and a good verdict," Assistant District Attorney Brad Leventhal said. "The family has waited a long time for justice in this case."
The victim's family were present, as were supporters of Lewis who believe he was wrongly convicted and his confession coerced. They also dispute the DNA evidence in the case.
"My son, Chanel Lewis, is innocent, and all I want for my son is justice for Chanel," mom Veta Lewis said. "I know the child that I raised, and God did not give me a murderer."
Lewis was found guilty on April 1 of killing the 30-year-old Vetrano while she was out jogging in Howard Beach in August 2016.
"Today was a delay of justice for not letting him go," community activist Charles Barron said "They say in the jury, they are questioning their behavior, so that will be a hearing on Monday to determine whether the sentence should be thrown out or whether the conviction should be thrown out because of the behavior of the jury. They will do that on Monday. We say he should be liberated on Monday."
Vetrano's body was found in the reeds of Spring Creek Park, her jogging clothes in disarray. Police say she had been beaten, strangled and sexually abused.
The jury deliberated for only five hours before reaching the verdict at Lewis's mistrial. There was a huge eruption of cheers and applause in the courtroom after the jury foreman announced the guilty verdict.
Eyewitness News spoke exclusively with the jury foreman, who called it "a slam dunk case."
"The DNA was overwhelming," Brian Morrissey said. "One in a trillion, one in a billion. He confessed to it. It was not coerced. What can I say?"
Lewis faces life in prison without parole when he is sentenced.
Last week, Lewis's mother proclaimed his innocence in an exclusive interview with ABC's Nightline.
She said then that they plan to appeal the verdict.
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