A Suffolk County judge in New York has authorized the use of DNA evidence that prosecutors says will pin accused serial killer Rex Heuermann on six of the seven Gilgo Beach murders.
The defense objected to the evidence due to its acquisition through a new DNA technique called whole genome sequencing, which is novel to New York courts, according to News10 ABC.
The defense claimed that the technique, developed by California-based Astrea Forensics, would violate New York public health law, as the company doesn’t have a permit in New York.
“Any analysis performed by Astrea Forensics is unlawful and must be deemed presumptively unreliable,” the defense memo stated. “To hold otherwise would be to ignore and render meaningless the plain unequivocal provisions of the New York State public health law.“
Prosecutors, however, argued that the technology is rooted in widely recognized scientific methods.
The issue initially came up in a hearing over the summer, when the prosecution pushed to dismiss the defense’s objection, emphasizing that the approach is “generally accepted in the scientific community.”
They also argued that the method is utilized in a broad range of scientific and forensic applications.
“We won; the evidence is admissible,” Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said after the court appearance, Newsday reports.
“Full speed ahead for trial.”
In July 2023, police arrested Heuermann in Manhattan for the 2009 and 2010 murders of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27.
In January 2024, he was charged with Brainard-Barnes’ murder.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, officials said Brainard-Barnes and the three other victims were found wrapped in burlap and buried near each other at New York’s Gilgo Beach. All four women were reportedly advertising as sex workers when they vanished.
In June 2024, Heuermann was charged with the murders of Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor. In December 2024, he was indicated for the murder of Valerie Mack.
Meanwhile, the judge’s decision will mark the first time the DNA technique, which linked hairs from six of the seven victims to Heuermann, will be allowed in New York courts.
“We were able to prevail for one simple reason: The science was on our side,” Tierney added.
Heuermann, who denies the allegations, remains behind bars without bail.
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[Feature Photo: Rex Heuermann/Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office via AP]
