Chanel Lewis sentenced to life in prison for murder of Queens jogger Karina Vetrano

QUEENS (WPIX) -- More than two and a half years after the murder of Queens jogger Karina Vetrano, and after two trials and the postponement of the killer's initial sentencing, Chanel Lewis learned his fate Tuesday.

The 22-year-old convicted in the August 2016 murder and sexual assault will serve life in prison, without the chance of parole.

Lewis was initially set to be sentenced nearly one week earlier, but it was postponed amid allegations of jury misconduct.

Judge Michael Aloise decided Monday to move forward with sentencing, despite juror Christopher Gooley saying he had felt intimidated to reach a guilty verdict quickly.

TRUE CRIME DAILY: Karina Vetrano case coverage

Vetrano, 30, was killed as she ran on a park trail in Howard Beach, Queens. Prosecutors said Vetrano had been sexually abused. Her father discovered the body.

Lewis's first trial ended in a hung jury in November 2018.

The defense argued his two taped confessions were coerced and that not enough of his DNA was found in the crime scene.

The prosecutors, however, said the confessions came willingly and his DNA was found on Vetrano's phone, nails and neck.