The investigation surrounding alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex A. Heuermann entered a new, less public phase Wednesday. Crowds that had gathered on the streets outside the residence during the 12-day search of his Massapequa Park home
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Tierney has already taken a hands-on role in the case by presenting evidence to the grand jury that indicted Heuermann and leading the prosecution at the defendant’s July 14 arraignment.
"District Attorney Tierney is presenting this case," spokeswoman Tania Lopez told a Newsday reporter Wednesday.
The unusual move will mark the first time Tierney has personally prosecuted a case since he took office in January 2022. He previously served as a federal prosecutor, trying cases in the Eastern District of New York as recently as 2021.
Fred Klein, the former chief of the major offense bureau of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and a visiting assistant professor of law at Hofstra University, said it was highly unusual for district attorneys to lead prosecution teams.
“I’ve known Ray Tierney for a long time and I really have respect and admiration for him as an attorney and a prosecutor,” Klein said. “However, I think for him to assume the responsibility of an actual trial will be challenging for him and his office. As the DA, he has responsibility for every case in their office. A new crisis comes up every day in a place like the Suffolk County DA’s office.”
“From that perspective, it is a curious decision,” Klein said. "I give him credit for making the effort."
Ray Tierney has already taken a hands-on role in the case by presenting evidence to the grand jury that indicted Rex A. Heuermann.
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