RIVERHEAD, NY – Accused Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Rex Heuermann is due back in court Tuesday morning on Long Island, and prosecutors are promising a major development in the case.
The hearing will begin after 9:30 a.m. A news conference is expected shortly after at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. We will bring you this press conference live on CBS News New York.
The judge previously indicated that he wanted to set a trial date for today’s hearing.
Heuermann’s last court appearance was in October.
Heuermann accused of killing 6 women, so far
Heuermann, 61, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of six women between 1993 and 2011. The remains of 11 people were discovered around Gilgo Beach during that period, and investigators believe Heuermann may be connected to other murders. The Suffolk County District Attorney has said there could be future charges.
Four of the victims had their bodies near Gilgo Beach. Two more were killed in 2003 and 1993. Each of them had participated in sex work.
Prosecutors allege Heuermann is linked to the murders through DNA, phone records from the burner, a description of his truck, Internet searches and what they call a plan on how to get away with his murder.
Lawyers fight over DNA, the volume of evidence
A key point of the controversy in the new DNA tests it’s called SNP, which prosecutors say links the victims’ hair to Heuermann. The defense has called an outside lab’s genetic testing methods unproven and “magical.”
Another hurdle for prosecutors is the large volume of evidence. The DA says they are struggling to keep up with the costs of processing the 120 terabytes of data and 400 electronic devices seized.
Heuermann’s attorney says his client is looking forward to his day in court and it will be pursuing a change of placeclaiming the jury pool in Suffolk has been “poisoned”.
Heuermann remains in solitary confinement in prison.
