The man, Chanel Lewis, 22, was found guilty earlier this month after a second trial. His first trial ended in a hung jury.
Justice Michael B. Aloise told Lewis that if he ever planned to atone for his crime, “You’re going to do it inside a cage.”
Before he was sentenced, Lewis listened to a series of wrenching statements from Vetrano’s father, mother and two siblings. But when his turn to speak came, he said: “I’m innocent. I’m sorry for the family’s loss, but I didn’t do this.”
Lewis had confessed to beating Vetrano, and traces of his DNA were discovered on her neck and cellphone when she was found on an overgrown path in Spring Creek Park in Queens. Still, his lawyers argued that the confession had been coerced and the DNA evidence had been contaminated and was unreliable.
The killing of Vetrano, 30, was one of the most high-profile cases in the city in recent years, jarring for its apparent randomness and brutality, and it set in motion a massive manhunt by police.
The prosecution of Lewis also prompted a fierce debate on social media, and in the courtroom, as some observers said the confession and DNA evidence were proof enough of Lewis’ guilt, while others argued that prosecutors had the wrong person.
Lewis’ lawyers said they intend to appeal. His supporters said they plan to hold protests in Howard Beach in Queens, where they said Vetrano’s true killer would be found.
Two of Lewis’ supporters, Kevin McCall and Chris Banks, were arrested outside the Queens courthouse for deliberately blocking traffic after speaking to reporters.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.