Overview
- Judge Timothy Mazzei ordered the consolidated murder case to start shortly after Labor Day 2026, declaring it will proceed "come hell or high water."
- Heuermann’s lawyers filed a 178-page motion challenging roughly 20 search warrants and seeking to suppress DNA taken from discarded items such as a pizza crust and an energy drink container.
- The defense also moved to exclude statements allegedly made during Heuermann’s 2023 arrest and transport, and to suppress evidence from searches of his home, office, vehicles and a storage unit.
- Attorneys asked the court to dismiss the 1993 Sandra Costilla count, arguing prosecutors rely on a single hair found on an outer shirt that does not establish probable cause.
- Prosecutors must respond by March 3, with a defense reply due March 17; DA Ray Tierney says there will be no plea offer and that his office is ready for trial, as advanced DNA testing has already been ruled admissible.