New Details About Suspected Gilgo Beach Serial Killer’s Youth Revealed in Court Hearing
Prosecutors Share New Information
The suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, Rex Heuermann, was back in court for another pre-trial hearing on Tuesday, during which time prosecutors shared some new information about the man accused of killing seven women.
Summer Jobs at Jones Beach
Prosecutors with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office revealed that Heuermann spent about four summers in the 1980s working at Jones Beach, which allowed him to become very familiar with the area where the remains of six of his seven alleged victims were found.
DA’s Statement
"This defendant is a serial killer who meticulously and methodically hunted down and murdered seven women," said DA Ray Tierney.
Trial Strategy
The prosecution argued on Tuesday that Heuermann should get one trial for all seven of those alleged victims, after the defense sought to have the case separated into five different trials.
DNA Evidence
Judge Tim Mazzei did not rule on that question, nor on whether the prosecution’s DNA evidence can be used in the case. A California lab’s DNA testing, which linked hairs found on the victims to Heuermann, has never before been used in a New York criminal case. However, DA Tierney sounded confident that the evidence would be allowed in court.
"This is sound science. It is the future of DNA analysis," said Tierney. "This science has been around for many years and if the defense wants to call it magic, that’s fine."
Defense’s Stance
For Heuermann, his attorney said that the more he has looked at the evidence, the more he is convinced his client is not the killer prosecutors make him out to be.
Next Steps
A hearing to contest the admissibility of the evidence was set for March 12, further delaying the start of the trial. Heuermann was arrested in Summer 2023, and the case has yet to go before a jury.
Conclusion
The pre-trial hearings continue to unfold, with the next step being a hearing to contest the admissibility of the DNA evidence. The case remains highly publicized, with many awaiting the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the status of the trial?
The trial is still in the pre-trial phase, with a hearing set for March 12 to contest the admissibility of the DNA evidence. - How many victims are alleged to have been killed by the suspect?
Seven women are alleged to have been killed by the suspect, Rex Heuermann. - What is the current location of the trial?
The trial is expected to be held in Suffolk County. - How long has the suspect been in custody?
The suspect, Rex Heuermann, has been in custody since Summer 2023.
