Karina Vetrano Retrial: Phil Vetrano Testifies in Howard Beach

QUEENS, NY — “I felt like I failed her.” That emotional declaration came from Phil Vetrano on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as he began his heart-wrenching testimony in the retrial of Chanel Lewis, the East New York man accused of the 2016 murder of his daughter, Karina Vetrano, in Howard Beach. The profound statement underscored the enduring pain of a family and a community still seeking justice.

Vetrano, a retired FDNY firefighter, spoke for several hours in Queens Supreme Court, detailing the harrowing moments he discovered his daughter’s body in Spring Creek Park, mere blocks from their home. His testimony painted a vivid picture of the day Karina disappeared during her routine jog.

A Father's Enduring Search

Phil Vetrano recounted the frantic search that began when Karina, 30, failed to return home on the evening of August 2, 2016. He described rallying neighbors and friends, including an NYPD detective who was also a family friend, to scour the parkland adjacent to the Belt Parkway.

His voice, often cracking with emotion, filled the courtroom as he recounted finding his daughter’s body in a marshy, overgrown area, approximately 15 feet off a jogging path. The discovery sent shockwaves through the quiet Howard Beach community, leading to an intense and prolonged investigation by the NYPD’s 106th Precinct and Homicide Bureau.

The Prosecution's Case Refocused

Assistant District Attorney Brad Leventhal, leading the prosecution, reiterated the strength of the DNA evidence linking Lewis to the crime. Lewis’s DNA was reportedly found under Karina Vetrano’s fingernails and on her phone, which was recovered near her body. The prosecution aims to establish that Lewis ambushed Vetrano, sexually assaulted, and strangled her.

“The evidence will show a brutal act perpetrated by this defendant,” Leventhal stated in his opening remarks to the jury on Monday. The prosecution’s case relies heavily on this forensic evidence, alongside Lewis’s alleged confession, which the defense contends was coerced and unreliable.

Defense Challenges Confession and Evidence

Lewis’s defense attorney, Kevin O’Donnell, continued to challenge the validity of his client’s confession and the circumstances surrounding it. He argued that Lewis, who has no prior criminal record, was subjected to a coercive interrogation lasting several hours before confessing.

“The confession was not freely given; it was extracted under duress,” O’Donnell asserted during his cross-examination of detectives. The defense also pointed to alleged inconsistencies in how the DNA evidence was handled, suggesting potential contamination or misinterpretation. This retrial follows a previous hung jury in 2019, highlighting the persistent complexities of the case.

Community's Quest for Justice

The Vetrano murder case galvanized the Howard Beach community and sparked broader discussions about safety in public parks, particularly those bordering residential areas near Cross Bay Boulevard. Thousands participated in fundraisers and vigils in the wake of the tragedy, demanding justice for Karina.

“This trial brings all the pain back, but we’re here for the Vetranos,” commented Angela Rossi, a long-time Howard Beach resident who attended Tuesday’s proceedings. “We need closure, and we need to know our community is safe.” The outcome of this retrial holds significant meaning for many in the tight-knit Queens neighborhood. For details on past community safety initiatives in Howard Beach, readers can review our archives.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Karina Vetrano Retrial

Who is on trial? Chanel Lewis, an East New York resident, is being retried for the murder of Karina Vetrano. When and where did Karina Vetrano's murder occur? Karina Vetrano was murdered on August 2, 2016, in Spring Creek Park in Howard Beach, Queens, near her home. What was Phil Vetrano's role in the case? Phil Vetrano, Karina's father, discovered her body after she went missing during a jog and later provided emotional testimony in court. What is the key evidence? The prosecution heavily relies on DNA evidence found at the scene and Chanel Lewis's alleged confession. Why is this a retrial? The first trial in 2019 resulted in a hung jury, leading to the current retrial.