NYC man charged with 1st-degree murder in runner’s death

NEW YORK – A man accused of the strangulation death of a New York City runner has been indicted on first-degree murder charges.

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown says the 13-count indictment also charges Chanel (shuh-NEHL’) 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 but would not hurt anybody.