Rex Heuermann: Accused Gilgo Beach killer in court again but defense suggests foul play by cops
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Rex Heuermann, the 60-year-old father-of-two and suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, made another appearance in court on Wednesday, April 17.
His estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, was also present at the hearing, arriving in a black Mercedes, according to the New York Post.
Heuermann is charged with the decade-old murders of four female sex workers, whose bodies were discovered on a remote stretch of Gilgo Beach.
Defense attorney Michael Brown suspects ex-Police Chief James Burke of botching the investigation
The defense, led by attorney Michael Brown, received additional evidence including 422 electronic devices and 388 leads on Heuermann, Long Island Press reported.
Brown clarified that he is seeking information from the FBI about former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke’s involvement in the investigation, rather than FBI leads in the Gilgo case.
“The Suffolk County Police Department, especially with Chief James Burke in charge, and the FBI were butting heads,” Brown said.
“To some extent, I think Chief Burke was suppressing the investigation and wouldn’t allow the FBI to participate in it with their expertise,” he added, according to the outlet.
Brown added that Burke has a “checkered history” concerning prostitutes.
“We received almost 3,000 leads on this case. From the leads, there were numerous leads that came into the Suffolk County Police Department suggesting that Chief Burke was involved in this,” he added.
Defense attorney Michael Brown suspects former cop with initials 'WH'
Brown also indicated interest in another suspect, a former police officer with the initials ‘WH’ found on a belt used to bind victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
The defense is “very anxious” to review the new information received on this suspect about who they learned on Wednesday, April 17.
Interestingly, Rex Heuermann’s grandfather’s name was William Heuermann.
The information was received after Brown filed a Brady letter.
Rex Heuermann's estranged wife Asa Ellerup says she 'will listen to all of the evidence' before coming to a conclusion
Ellerup, who filed for divorce shortly after Heuermann’s arrest, has previously stated that she believes her husband of 27 years is “not capable” of committing the murders.
“I will listen to all of the evidence and withhold judgment until the end of trial,” she said in a statement issued by her lawyers.
She also extended her “heartfelt sympathies” to the victims, all of whom were sex workers.
The trial is expected to begin as early as July, with Heuermann due back in court on June 18 for another hearing.
Prosecutors have alleged finding his DNA from a discarded pizza, as well as burner phone evidence tied him to the decades-old killings.
He has pleaded not guilty to murdering the women – now known as the "Gilgo Four."
