Norwich resident Chaquasja "Qway" Veale arriving at arraignment proceedings on Friday, December 15. Veale was charged with second degree murder for the July 6 killing of Norwich resident Alisa Ann Martin. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — A Norwich resident has been indicted on murder charges in connection with the July 6 strangling death of 44-year-old Alisa Ann Martin.

On Sunday, July 9 at approximately 6:30 p.m., the City of Norwich Police Department (NPD) responded to a welfare check at Martin's apartment at 89 North Broad Street, after it was reported she had not been seen in several days.

Investigators discovered Martin's body inside the home, and initially treated the scene as a potential homicide due to signs of violence. An autopsy later ruled Martin's death a homicide by strangulation.

After more than five months of investigating, police charged Norwich resident Chaquasja "Qway" Veale, 28, with second degree murder, a class A-1 felony.

At arraignment proceedings on Friday, December 15, Veale pled not guilty. He remains in custody on $400,000 bail or $800,000 bond, and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

"His actions ... caused harm to another person," said Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese. "It was an up close and personal act."

Ferrarese said he was concerned Veale would flee if released; he said Veale was homeless and had been staying with Martin in her apartment for around a month before her death, and therefore may not have a place to go if released.

Veale had been taken into custody in late July on other charges, and was still in custody at the time of the indictment. However, Ferrarese said police had intel that upon release Veale's plan was to flee to relatives in North Carolina, with whom he had regular communication.

“Perhaps the most significant fact as a flight risk is having family out of state,” said the DA, adding, “And he is in contact with them.”

Additionally, Ferrarese said although Veale only has three prior misdemeanor charges in New York, in other states Veale has been charged with numerous crimes, including violent offenses, felonies, and gun possession.

Veale's defense attorney Benjamin Bergman asked for an extension to allow more time to file pre-trial motions, and was granted 60 days instead of the usual 45. Ferrarese said after that time his office will have 15 days to respond, and then they will move into pre-trial hearings. From there he said a trial will be scheduled, unless a plea agreement is made.

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.