A New York choose on Wednesday admitted DNA evidence that Suffolk County prosecutors say hyperlinks alleged Gilgo Seashore serial killer Rex Heuermann to 6 of the seven girls he’s accused of killing.
The protection had challenged the proof because it was obtained utilizing new DNA expertise — often called complete genome sequencing — that had by no means been utilized in a New York court docket.
Prosecutors efficiently argued the expertise was derived from accepted scientific strategies. Forward of a collection of court docket appearances over the summer season, prosecutors argued the protection movement to dismiss the proof needs to be denied as a result of the method is “typically accepted within the scientific neighborhood” and is predicated on expertise “relied upon in all kinds of scientific and forensic settings.”
Rex Heuermann, who’s accused of killing seven girls over the span of a long time on Lengthy Island, seems in court docket in Nassau County, Sept. 3, 2025.
James Carbone/Newsday, Pool
Heuermann, who was arrested in July 2023, has pleaded not responsible to the murders of seven girls whose stays had been discovered discarded on Lengthy Island between 1993 and 2011.
His attorneys had urged the choose to preclude proof pertaining to DNA outcomes obtained from hairs recovered from six victims: Maureen Brainard Barnes, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack.
Choose Timothy Mazzei dominated Wednesday that nuclear DNA outcomes obtained from rootless hairs recovered from the six victims are admissible on the trial.
Mazzei stated the usage of complete genome sequencing to extract DNA from the hairs, create a profile after which evaluate that profile to Heuermann “is usually accepted within the related scientific neighborhood.”
The choose stated he primarily based the choice on professional testimony, peer-reviewed articles and use of the expertise in different states, together with California and Idaho.
“We gained. The proof is admissible,” Suffolk District Legal professional Ray Tierney stated. “Full pace forward for trial.”
Rex Heuermann, who’s accused of killing seven girls over the span of a long time on Lengthy Island, seems in court docket in Nassau County, Sept. 3, 2025.
James Carbone/Newsday, Pool
The choice marks the primary time the methods are allowed as proof in a New York court docket and the district legal professional stated it may enable extra chilly circumstances to maneuver ahead for prosecution.
“Clearly that is one other device in our toolbox,” Tierney stated.
Prosecutors have alleged the DNA hyperlinks hairs from six of the seven Gilgo Seashore victims to Heuermann, his spouse and daughter. “Clearly that’s a key issue on this case,” Tierney stated.
The protection continues to be ready for a choice on its movement to interrupt up the case into a number of trials. Mazzei stated he would rule on that later this month on the subsequent listening to scheduled Sept. 23.
This can be a growing story. Please test again for updates.
