New York Judge Allows Whole Genome DNA Evidence in Heuermann Case

A New York judge on Wednesday cleared the way for prosecutors to use DNA evidence generated by whole genome sequencing at the forthcoming murder trial of Rex Heuermann, the Manhattan architect charged with killing seven women whose remains were found along desolate stretches near Gilgo Beach on Long Island. New York State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei made the ruling at a brief hearing in Riverhead, but did not explain his decision. He set another court date for Sept. 23 and was told the defense intends to file another motion.

Prosecutors say the advanced testing, performed by California-based Astrea Forensics, allowed them to analyze highly degraded samples including rootless hairs that conventional methods could not process and that the results, combined with other evidence, overwhelmingly implicate Heuermann. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney declared after the hearing, "The science was on our side," and added, "we won," according to court observers.

Heuermann, 61, has pleaded not guilty to the seven killings, which prosecutors say span at least from 1993 to 2010. He was arrested outside his Manhattan office in July 2023 and remains in custody....