The legal battle in the Gilgo Beach killings case is heating up, as the suspect’s lawyer is pushing hard to have key DNA evidence tossed out. Rex Heuermann, the man accused of murdering seven women near Long Island’s Gilgo Beach, is also seeking to split the case into five separate trials. On Wednesday, the judge agreed to hold hearings to consider both requests.

Prosecutors argue that nuclear DNA analysis ties strands of hair found with most of the victims to Heuermann. They see it as a cornerstone of their case, alongside his phone records and internet activity. But Heuermann’s lawyer, Michael J. Brown, is challenging the reliability of the DNA evidence. After Wednesday’s hearing, he called the findings “magic” rather than solid science and claimed the methods used aren’t recognized as reliable for criminal cases in New York.

The judge in the case, Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, will now hold hearings to weigh these arguments. Meanwhile, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney remains confident the DNA evidence will stand up in court, describing it as sound and admissible.

Heuermann, who appeared in court wearing a dark suit, has denied the charges. With the trial approaching, the case continues to draw intense public interest, especially as new details about the evidence emerge. The outcome of these hearings could significantly shape the direction of the trial and the prosecution’s strategy.

Stay tuned as this high-profile case unfolds, with more updates expected in the coming weeks.