Gilgo Beach Serial Murder Case Judge Slams Defense Lawyers Over Efforts To Delay Trial With New Motions

The presiding judge of the Gilgo Beach serial murder case expressed his displeasure with the defense over what appeared to be tactics to delay the case.

On Monday, the defense lawyers filed several motions challenging the evidence in the case, including items that led to the accused Rex Heuermann's arrest in July 2023.

Judge Timothy Mazzei seemingly slammed their actions the next day by making a strong statement that the trial would begin after Labor Day.

The Judge Stated The Trial Will Begin After Labor Day

A hearing in the Gilgo Beach serial murder case took a sour turn for the defense after they were sharply admonished by the judge.

On Tuesday, Judge Timothy Mazzei strongly reprimanded the lawyers representing Rex Heuermann for their actions.

He claimed that the legal team was delaying the case, which has been awaiting trial for more than two years.

"This trial will begin after Labor Day, come hell or high water," Mazzei told the lawyers in his courtroom, per the New York Post.

Rex Heuermann Was Accused Of Killing Sexen Sex Workers

Heuermann, 62, is accused of brutally killing seven sex workers between 1993 and 2010 and dumping their bodies at multiple locations across Long Island.

He was arrested in July 2023 after DNA evidence led investigators to identify him as the prime suspect after the cold murders were reopened.

This same evidence is expected to play a key part in the trial when it begins, as the judge ruled last year that DNA evidence will be admissible in court.

Rex Heuermann's Lawyers Filed Multiple Motions To Challenge The Case Evidence

Mazzei's stern remarks to the defense came after their actions the previous day, when they submitted several motions challenging the evidence in the case.

In the filings, the defense questioned about 20 search warrants police executed during the course of the investigation into the accused.

They also urged the court to suppress evidence such as a discarded pizza crust and an energy drink obtained from trash at the accused's home.

Both items were recovered by authorities for DNA purposes, with the discarded pizza crust in particular playing a key role in Heuermann's arrest.

Additional evidence uncovered during two searches of Heuermann's home included a disturbing computer file that allegedly contained information about how the accused could have carried out some of the killings.

Authorities also reportedly found notes that appeared to offer tips on how Heuermann could improve future murders.

The Alleged Gilgo Beach Killer's Lawyers Denied Delaying The Case

This is the man who was arrested for the Gilgo Beach killings on Long Island.

Everyone meet Rex Heuermann. pic.twitter.com/USAJ9FxHev

— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) July 14, 2023

Despite filing multiple motions, which would typically lead to further delays in the case, Heuermann's lawyer does not believe the defense is dragging out the proceedings.

"We've been working hard on this case," Michael Brown told reporters outside the court. "We will be prepared to try the case come Labor Day."

He also voiced his displeasure over the manner in which the key evidence in the case was obtained by the authorities.

"If our government can go into our garbage can and take our DNA and learn everything about us, what's the purpose of having a Fourth Amendment anymore?" Brown added.

Meanwhile, in response to the judge's order, prosecutor Ray Tierney stated that his team was "ready" to begin the trial. However, he acknowledged that the defense is not necessarily delaying the proceedings and that their previously filed motions were simply "the nature of the business."

Rex Heuermann Was Cleared Of Murdering An Eighth Victim

In November, Heuermann was cleared of charges related to an eighth victim named Collen McNamee.

A convicted killer, John Bittrolff, who is currently serving a sentence for murdering McNamee and another woman, attempted to pin the crime on the alleged serial killer.

McNamee's body was found somewhere on Long Island, just like the other victims: Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello, and Sandra Costilla.

However, DNA testing performed at Bittrolff's request failed to link Heuermann to the murder of McNamee.

"A comparison between Cybergenetic's developed profile, 'unknown male A,' and the DNA profile of Rex Heuermann was performed," read a coroner report obtained by the New York Post.

"Assuming that the 'unknown male A' profile is a mixture without any allelic dropout and strictly based on possible genotypes present in the profile, Rex Heuermann is excluded as 'unknown male A,'" the report further read.