Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann to face single trial on all murder charges, judge rules
Accused Gilgo Beach, New York, serial killer Rex Heuermann will face one trial for all seven murder charges, Judge Timothy Mazzei ruled on Tuesday, according to New York ABC station WABC.
Attorneys for the former New York City architect had sought to break up the cases.
A trial date has not been set, WABC reported.
Heuermann, who was arrested in 2023, has pleaded not guilty to the murders of seven women.
The first victim was Sandra Costilla, killed in 1993. Valerie Mack was killed in 2000 and Jessica Taylor was killed in 2003. Partial remains of Taylor and Mack were found near Gilgo Beach and in Manorville on Long Island, while Costilla was found in North Sea on Long Island.
Maureen Brainard-Barnes was killed in 2007 and found near Gilgo Beach. Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Lynn Costello were killed between 2009 and 2010 and also recovered near Gilgo Beach.
Suffolk County prosecutors said in a filing last week that they're ready for trial.
The prosecutors also certified that they had turned over all of the evidence to Heuermann’s lawyers, including a 723-page inventory and a list of people who may know relevant facts about the case.
Earlier this month, the judge admitted DNA evidence -- obtained using new DNA technology -- that prosecutors say links Heuermann to six of the seven victims. The defense had sought to have the key evidence excluded since it was involved the use of whole genome sequencing, a technique not previously admitted in a criminal trial in New York.
Heuermann is next due in court in January.
