The year-old is charged with the murders of seven women dating back to the s. A key point of contention in the case is new DNA evidence that prosecutors say links six of the seven victims to Heuermann.
The defense has raised concerns about the California lab's testing methods, calling them unproven. Prosecutors, however, argue they are reliable and state-of-the art. It's exciting to be at the forefront of that, and we look forward to proving the scientific acceptance," Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney said. Heuermann's lawyers are also asking for five separate trials, given the complexity of the case. One would be for the first three victims found within a short timeframe at Gilgo Beach, the second would be for Maureen Brainard-Barnes whose remains were later discovered at Gilgo, and the third would be for the other three victims found elsewhere.
They shouldn't be tried together," Brown said. Both sides will return to court on Feb. The remains of 11 people have been discovered around Gilgo Beach, and investigators say Heuermann may be linked to other killings before a trial date is set. That could be a year or more away. So far, Heuermann pled not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of six women between and Investigators have described a "blueprint" they say he used to "plan out his kills with excruciating detail.
Heuermann was initially arrested on July 14, and charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. New charges were filed last January in the death of Brainard-Barnes, and he was indicted on additional charges last June in the killing of Sandra Costilla and the killing of Jessica Taylor.
The Gilgo Beach Task Force also released renderings last September of another possible victim , whose body was found between Waterman and Taylor along Ocean Parkway in Number 6 for years. He spoke out in court for the first time, saying "I'm not guilty of any of these charges. Mack, a year-old from New Jersey, had been working as an escort in the Philadelphia area before her partial remains were discovered in Manorville in Additional remains were found in Gilgo Beach more than 10 years later.
