City of Norwich Police Department Chief Reuben Roach along with investigators, prosecutors, and members of Alisa Martin's family after a suspect was indicted for her murder. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)

NORWICH — Investigators unsealed an indictment Friday afternoon charging a Norwich resident with the July 6 murder of 44-year-old Alisa Ann Martin.

Chaquasja "Qway" Veale was charged with second degree murder, a class A-1 felony. Veale pled not guilty. Prosecutors said if convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

District Attorney Michael Ferrarese argued for $400,000 bail or $800,000 bond, claiming Veale was a flight risk. He said Veale was homeless before his incarceration at the county jail, where he was currently in custody on other charges. However, Ferrarese said Veale was planning to flee to North Carolina, where several of his family members live, upon release.

Ferrarese said Veale was homeless and had been staying with Martin at her residence for approximately one month before her death, which has been ruled a homicide by strangulation.

Norwich Police Department Chief Reuben Roach expressed gratitude to the several agencies involved in investigating the case, including the New York State Police, the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, the Chenango County District Attorney's Office, the Bertie County Sheriff's Office located in North Carolina, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"I am greatly humbled and proud of not only my own detectives and officers, but those involved in this investigation and the multiple agencies who have provided their time and resources to ensure this case was solved, not only to provide justice, but closure for the family," said Norwich Police Department Chief Reuben Roach.

Roach also expressed condolences to Martin's family.

"I cannot comprehend the pain that you have been going through," he said. "No parent should have to bury their child, and no community should have to lose one of their own, especially to a homicide."

Read more about this case in Monday's Evening Sun.