Judge sets hearing on crucial DNA evidence in Gilgo Beach murders case
The man charged in the string of slayings known as the Gilgo Beach murders appeared in court Wednesday as his defense team seeks to get critical DNA evidence excluded from trial and break up the case against him.
Rex Heuermann, 61, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of seven women whose remains were found on New York's Long Island between 1993 and 2011.
The judge on Wednesday scheduled a pretrial hearing to determine whether DNA evidence linking Heuermann to hairs found at six of the crime scenes should be deemed admissible. The hearing is set for March 28, said Tania Lopez, a spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Heuermann's defense team has petitioned the judge to exclude the evidence from trial, arguing that the technique used to obtain the DNA match, known as whole genome sequencing, is not widely accepted by the scientific community.
Prosecutors disagree and are confident the court will deem the evidence admissible, saying the technique is used in a wide variety of scientific and forensic settings. "For over 30 years, New York State courts have continuously adapted to embrace advancements in DNA technology," Assistant District Attorney Andrew Lee said in a statement.
"The advancement of forensic science and nuclear DNA analysis involving Whole Genome Sequencing has allowed law enforcement to now link genetic profiles consistent with the defendant, and/or individuals who have resided with him, to six of the seven victims through hairs found at the crime scene and/or on the victims."
Heuermann's defense team wants multiple trials, not one
Last month, judge Timothy Mazzei told Heuermann's attorneys to file additional paperwork to support their motion to stop prosecutors from tying their client to all seven murders at once.
Heuermann's defense team argued that evidence in some of the killing is weaker than others and combining the cases could lead to an improper conviction.
The Suffolk County District Attorney Office vowed to fight the request for separate trials, saying in a statement that the victims are "inextricably interwoven by geographic proximity, victimology, digital and physical evidence, forensic analysis, and defendant's own planning document."
What evidence is there against Heuermann?
In addition to the DNA evidence, investigators have also discovered what prosecutors called a "significant collection of violent, bondage and torture pornography" on more than 350 electronic devices seized from his home. Some of the violent pornography, dating back to 1994, involves methods consistent with the injuries to two of the victims, Tierney said.
Prosecutors said they've collected burner cellphones used to arrange meetings with the slain women and discovered a document they believe Heuermann used to plan the murders. The document contains lists of "supplies," "saw/cutting tools," and what's labeled as "DS," which investigators believe stands for "dump site."
Another note says that more sleep and "noise control" would allow for more "play time," which prosecutors say refers to sexual mutilation.
"The task force believes that this is a planning document and it was utilized by Heuermann to methodically blueprint and plan out his kills with excruciating detail," Tierney said at a news conference.
Murder charges stack up against Heuermann
The former New York architect was arrested in July 2023 in connection with the murder of Megan Waterman, 22; Melissa Barthelemy, 24; and Amber Costello, 27.
Last year, he was charged with the murders of four additional women: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, in January; Jessica Taylor, 20; and Sandra Costilla, 28, in June; and Valerie Mack, 24 in December.
A trial date has not been set.
Contributing: N'Dea Yancey-Bragg, Cybele Mayes Osterman and Thao Nguyen