More than three decades after the death of his first confirmed victim, the families of eight women strangled by Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex A. Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, will have their first opportunity to address the court Wednesday.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said no limitations have been placed on the number of family members who can speak before state Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei sentences Heuermann to life in prison. Tierney estimated that roughly two victim impact statements will be given per victim.
“This is the opportunity for the victims to speak in court,” Tierney said. “Up to this point it’s been about the defendant and safeguarding his rights and his presumption of innocence, and necessarily so, but that’s over with now.”
Victim impact statements are given at the start of a sentencing in New York State, followed by remarks from the prosecution, the defense and the defendant himself, should they exercise that right. Heuermann defense attorney Michael J. Brown, of Central Islip, has declined to say if his client will speak. The judge also typically makes remarks — Mazzei has in other high-profile cases — before pronouncing the sentence.
