Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann's trial to begin right after Labor Day "come hell or high water," judge says
The trial in the case of accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann is finally in sight.
Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge Timothy Mazzei explicitly told both sides on Tuesday he is aiming for right after Labor Day "come hell or high water." That would be more than three years since the arrest of Heuermann, a Massapequa Park architect.
The news came as his defense team filed another big batch of motions, challenging much of the evidence, including 20 search warrants.
Pizza crust, John Bittrolff, text message, and more
The defense contends that taking DNA from pizza crust Heuermann threw away violated his constitutional right to privacy.
"We all heard about them going in our garbage, taking our pizza crust," attorney Danielle Coysh said. "Rex Heuermann may have abandoned his pizza crust, but he never abandoned all that personal information that is now our DNA."
Prosecutors say that crust helped link Heuermann to the 2007 killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes and six other deaths spanning three decades, from Sandra Costilla in 1993 to the Gilgo Beach killings years later. The defense is asking the judge to throw out the Costilla murder charge, as it plans to point the finger at other possible suspects, including convicted killer John Bittrolff.
"The people's evidence that links Heuermann to Sandra Costilla's crime is a single hair," Coysh said.
"We think Mr. Bittrolff may have been responsible for some of these," defense attorney Michael Brown said.
The defense is also challenging a text message sent to a former roommate of victim Amber Costello on the day Heuermann was arrested.
"Is this the guy you saw years ago they picked him up this morning as the Gilgo killer?" the question reads.
"Yes 100000%," the response reads.
The defense is also asking the judge to throw out statements Heuermann allegedly made to police after his arrest.
Suffolk County DA mum on potential plea deal
Heuermann remains in protective solitary confinement for 23 hours per day. He is allowed visits with family members and access to the law library.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney would not say whether a plea deal is on the table.
"We are not going to do anything except prepare for trial," Tierney said.
Heuermann's family members did not appear in court Tuesday, but through their attorney, they said they are looking forward to the case getting resolved "one way or another."
The allegations against Heuermann
Back in September, Judge Mazzei ruled all seven murder cases against Heuermann would be tried together. His defense team had hoped to split the cases.
The judge also ruled advanced DNA testing, which prosecutors say was critical to linking Heuermann to the murders, can be used at the trial. It's the first time such evidence will be admitted in a New York state trial, and Heuermann's defense team blasted the process as "magic."
Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was initially arrested in 2023 and has since faced additional charges. Prosecutors have accused him of the murders of seven women, dating as far back as 1993. Prosecutors also think he may be linked to more killings.
Heuermann has staunchly maintained his innocence, and his attorney has nixed any sort of plea deal, saying Heuermann is looking forward to his trial.
