MAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING RUNNER

On Feb. 6, it was reported that a New York man was charged in the death of a 30-year-old woman. The 20-year-old man was accused of strangling the woman as she was out jogging.

She was reportedly killed on Aug. 2. The woman had gone out solo for a run. Her father, who usually went with her but had stayed home due to an injury, reportedly found her body later the same day about 15 feet from the trail. It was determined that she had been beaten, strangled and sexually assaulted. DNA was reportedly taken from her body and belongings.

Using the DNA, the more than 250 leads provided by the public and information from more than 1,700 investigative reports, the defendant was ultimately identified. Authorities stated that he did not have any criminal history previous to this case. Authorities said the man, who was charged with second-degree murder, had admitted to attacking and strangling the woman. He faces 25 years to life in prison if he is convicted.

When a person is accused of committing violent crimes, the legal consequences if a conviction is obtained can be severe and life-altering. In some cases, authorities may not follow proper procedures or may compel a person to admit to being involved in a violent crime without providing them with their rights. In these cases, a criminal defense attorney may attempt to have the charges reduced or the case thrown out altogether. In other cases, the attorney may also potentially argue that the crime was committed in self-defense or that the person did not intend to cause harm.

Source: NBC New York, “Brooklyn Man, 20, Charged With Murder in Death of Queens Jogger Karina Vetrano: NYPD Officials“, Pei-Sze Cheng, Feb. 6, 2017