If you’ve been following the Long Island serial killer case, you know it's been a long, exhausting road for the families. Honestly, it feels like forever since that first arrest in Midtown Manhattan. People keep asking the same thing: when is rex heuermann trial actually going to happen?
The short answer? We finally have a real timeline.
Just a few days ago, on January 13, 2026, Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge Timothy Mazzei made it very clear. He told the courtroom that the trial would begin "come hell or high water" right after Labor Day 2026. That means we are looking at early September for the start of what will likely be the biggest trial in New York history.
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It’s been over three years since Heuermann, the architect from Massapequa Park, was taken into custody. Three years of hearings, DNA arguments, and a mountain of evidence that has grown from four victims to seven.
The Labor Day Deadline: Why it Took So Long
Trials for seven murders don’t just happen overnight. You've got over 700 pages of evidence inventory and a literal "blueprint for murder" found on a hard drive.
Judge Mazzei is clearly losing his patience with the back-and-forth. During the recent January 2026 hearing, he basically scolded the defense for what he sees as stalling tactics. But the defense, led by Michael Brown, says they aren't stalling—they’re just dealing with the sheer volume of data.
Think about it. The prosecution has handed over terabytes of data. We're talking about cell site records, surveillance footage, and DNA results that use "whole genome sequencing." This isn't the stuff you see on CSI that's done in twenty minutes.
The judge has given the District Attorney’s office until March 2026 to respond to a massive new batch of defense motions. After that, the road to September should be clear.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Evidence
There is a huge misconception that the case against Heuermann is only about some old pizza crust.
Yes, the pizza crust DNA is a big deal. The defense is currently trying to get it suppressed, arguing that the police violated Heuermann’s privacy by digging through a Manhattan trash can. Attorney Danielle Coysh famously argued that while he abandoned the crust, he didn't abandon the "personal information" in his DNA.
But there is so much more:
- The Planning Document: This is the scary stuff. Prosecutors found a deleted Word file that laid out "Body Prep" instructions. It mentioned things like removing tattoos and using specific types of rope. It even referenced FBI profiler John Douglas.
- The Chevrolet Avalanche: A witness saw a first-generation green Avalanche years ago. It turns out Heuermann had one registered in his name.
- Burner Phones: Investigators tracked thousands of pings. They allegedly show Heuermann’s phone and burner phones used to contact victims were in the same place at the same time.
- The Hair Samples: A single hair on a burlap sack. A hair found on Sandra Costilla. These are the threads—literally—tying the cases together.
The defense is trying to throw out the charges for the 1993 murder of Sandra Costilla. They want to point the finger at John Bittrolff, a convicted killer who they say is a more likely suspect for that specific crime. But the judge already ruled that Heuermann will face one trial for all seven victims. No separate trials. No splitting it up.
Why This Trial is Different From Any Other
This isn't just a murder trial. It's a test of New York law.
This will be the first time "advanced DNA testing" like whole genome sequencing is admitted in a New York state trial. The defense calls it "magic," basically implying it's unreliable science. If the prosecution wins with this, it changes how every cold case in the state is handled.
Also, the sheer timeframe is wild. We are looking at crimes spanning from 1993 to 2011. How do you find a jury that hasn't already made up their mind after decades of headlines?
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Heuermann has been in protective solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. He’s been spending his time in the law library. He’s pleaded not guilty to everything. He still says he didn't do it.
What Happens Next?
If you're waiting for a plea deal, don't hold your breath.
Suffolk County DA Ray Tierney has been adamant. He says his office isn't even considering a plea. They are preparing for a full-blown trial. The Heuermann family, who hasn't been in court much lately, apparently just wants this over with "one way or another" according to their lawyers.
Here is the timeline to watch for:
- March 3, 2026: Deadline for the prosecution to respond to the defense's latest attempts to throw out evidence.
- Spring/Summer 2026: Final pre-trial hearings on which witnesses can testify and which photos the jury is allowed to see.
- September 2026 (Post-Labor Day): Jury selection begins. This could take weeks on its own.
Honestly, the "when is rex heuermann trial" question finally has a definitive answer, but the trial itself is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. We are talking about months of testimony.
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If you want to stay updated, the best thing you can do is keep an eye on the Suffolk County court calendar as we get closer to August. The exact date for jury summons should be public by mid-summer. You might also want to look into the "Frye hearings" records if you're curious about the DNA science—that’s where the real legal battle is happening right now.
Next, you might want to look at the specific victim profiles for the "Gilgo Four" to understand why the prosecution is grouping these cases together so tightly for the September start.