Rex Heuermann's Plea Hearing in the Gilgo Beach Case, April 8, 2026
Courtroom video of the April 2026 hearing at which Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty in the Gilgo Beach case: the plea terms read into the record and the judge's questions to him, up to the point where cameras had to stop.
- Subject
- Rex Heuermann
- Recorded
- April 8, 2026
- Runtime
- 12:52
Content warning: Concerns the murders of eight women; no graphic detail.
The Hearing
This is courtroom video of the hearing in Riverhead, New York, on April 8, 2026, at which Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty in the Gilgo Beach case. It was filmed by a single pool camera and runs for nearly 13 minutes. Judge Timothy Mazzei first explains why filming must stop when the plea allocution begins. A prosecutor then reads the plea agreement into the record, naming the eight women, and Heuermann signs waivers at the defense table. The judge then puts the standard questions to him before a guilty plea. The video ends as the judge says, "we're going to swear in the defendant now."
Heuermann is heard only in short answers: his age ("62"), and replies such as "Yes, Your Honor", "Yes, I do" and "No". In all, he is heard for under half a minute. His admissions to the murders came after he was sworn, when cameras were no longer allowed, and are not in this video. Court TV's title, "Killer Speaks Before Pleading Guilty", overstates what he says here.
Historical Context
Beginning in December 2010, the remains of several women were found along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach on Long Island's South Shore. For more than a decade the killings went unsolved. On July 13, 2023, Rex Heuermann, an architect from Massapequa Park, was arrested and charged with the murders of three of the women. Further charges followed, including the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla in June 2024. By the time of this hearing he was charged with seven murders, and a trial had been expected later in 2026.
Circumstances of the Hearing
The hearing had been listed as a routine pre-trial session, but, as the judge remarks, word that Heuermann would plead guilty was "probably the worst-kept secret in this building". Citing New York's rules barring cameras from sworn testimony, the judge allowed one pool video camera (News 12) and one still photographer (Newsday) to record the proceedings only up to the start of the plea allocution, and ordered them to share their material with all accredited media.
What the Hearing Covers
The prosecutor sets out the agreement: guilty pleas to counts 1 through 3 (first-degree murder) and counts 7 through 10 of the indictment, with counts 4 through 6 dismissed at sentencing; Heuermann's agreement to admit, as part of the plea, that he intentionally caused the death of Karen Vergata and left her remains in Suffolk County in 1996, although he had not been charged with her murder; and an agreed sentence of three consecutive terms of life without parole followed by four consecutive terms of 25 years to life. The prosecutor names the eight victims: Karen Vergata, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello and Sandra Costilla. Heuermann waives his right to appeal, including the court's ruling after a Frye hearing on the evidence. Defense attorney Michael Brown adds that there will be no further prosecutions for the eight deaths and that Heuermann is obliged to cooperate fully with the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. The judge then confirms, question by question, that Heuermann understands the rights he is giving up and is pleading of his own free will.
What Makes the Recording Significant
The hearing brought the Gilgo Beach case to an end without a trial. The video records the terms of the plea as they were read in open court, including his agreement to admit a murder for which he had never been charged. It also shows a judge setting out exactly where the camera must stop, which is why Heuermann's own admissions were not filmed.
Archival Importance
This is the courtroom record of the day the case was resolved, before the sentencing of June 17, 2026 (see the related CBS News report). It preserves the plea terms as read in court and the judge's questions and Heuermann's answers, in the words spoken in court.
Important Caveats
Heuermann does not describe or admit any killing in this video: he answers the judge's questions about his understanding of the plea, and nothing more. His admissions were made under oath after filming stopped and are known from press reports, not from this recording. The prosecutor who reads the plea terms is not named in the video; press reports say District Attorney Ray Tierney set out the terms in court. A few short exchanges between court officers and at the defense table are not clearly audible.
Judge: All right. Ladies and gentlemen, before we proceed, the court is in receipt of numerous applications from media and press agencies seeking permission to video record and photograph today's proceedings. The court is mindful of the significant public interest in this matter and the important role of the press in ensuring transparency and public access to judicial process. At the same time, the court must ensure full compliance with New York law governing media coverage of court proceedings, and the court is duty-bound to safeguard the integrity of these proceedings.
Judge: The court has been made aware that the defendant may enter a guilty plea here today, which was probably the worst-kept secret in this building in the last couple of days. Under applicable law and rules, audio-visual coverage, including video recording and still photography, is prohibited during portions of the proceeding in which sworn testimony is taken. Relevant here, a defendant's plea allocution constitutes testimonial evidence, as it involves sworn statements made by the defendant admitting to the facts underlying the charges.
Judge: Accordingly, the court will permit limited media access as follows. One pool video camera, from News 12, and one pool still photographer, from Newsday, will be allowed to record and photograph the proceedings up to, but not including, the commencement of the defendant's plea allocution. At the point where the defendant is sworn and begins allocuting to the charges, all audio-visual coverage must cease, and the court will direct the court officers to escort the two camera persons out of the well. The court has conferred on this matter with counsel for both parties and with representatives of the two press agencies as to the limited scope of coverage of this proceeding. Both counsel, is this your understanding, first of all? Yes?
Counsel: It is. Yes, Your Honor.
Judge: All right. And do you have any objections to what I've just said?
Counsel: We don't take a position.
Counsel: [unclear: "We don't take a position either" / "You don't take a position either"], Your Honor.
Judge: Thank you. Both camera persons, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Carbone, have been expressly advised that they are under order of the court to immediately disseminate the videos and photographs that are obtained herein to any and all members of accredited media agencies upon their request. Like any other case, no one else here or in the overflow courtroom is permitted to film, tape, audio record, photograph, or otherwise record today's proceedings. This determination reflects the court's effort to balance the public's right of access with the legal requirement prohibiting coverage of testimony and proceedings, as well as the need to preserve the fairness, dignity, and orderly administration of justice.
Judge: All right, gentlemen, I understand that circumstances have changed in this case.
Counsel: That's correct, Your Honor.
Judge: People?
Prosecutor: Your Honor, it is the understanding of the District Attorney's office that the defendant will plead guilty to seven counts in the indictment, specifically counts 1 through 3 and counts 7 through 10. Counts [inaudible]
Speaker: [unclear: "I don't get the joke" / "I'm going to get this up"]
Judge: Should we bring the defendant up, please? Bring the defendant out now. Thank you.
Prosecutor: That's a very good idea. Thank you, sir.
Judge: Usually helps to have the person [inaudible] [02:59 to 03:15: no clear speech; someone clears his throat.]
Court Officers: [unclear: "Did she want to wear cuffs first? Just do the [unclear] paperwork." / "Just you want to look up first. Just do it."] Okay. All right, [unclear: "you got her in cuffs first, then?" / "I'm going to go up first"] Let me know when you're ready. Okay. When you need [unclear: "them on cuffs" / "to look up"], just let me know. Sorry. When you need [unclear: "them on cuffs" / "to look up"], just let me know. Okay.
Court Officer: Coming out, Judge.
Clerk: On the record, number 8, Rex Heuermann.
Speaker: [unclear: "Arthur Schwartz, attorney for" (captions) / "Two o'clock" (Whisper)] [inaudible]
Speaker: We're going to do the waivers first, okay?
Michael Brown: For the defendant, Michael Brown, (office address withheld), Central Islip, New York. Good morning, Judge.
Judge: Good morning.
Prosecutor: As, as, thank you, Your Honor, and thank you, Mr. Brown. As I was beginning to say, it is the understanding of the District Attorney's office that the defendant will plead guilty to seven counts in the indictment, specifically counts 1 through 3 and counts 7 through 10. Counts 4 through 6 will be dismissed in satisfaction at the time of the defendant's sentencing. In addition to allocuting to and admitting his factual guilt to all elements of counts 1 through 3 and 7 through 10 of the indictment, the defendant further agrees that, although he has not been charged with this crime, he will admit as part of his plea that he intentionally caused the death of Karen Vergata and transported and left her remains in Suffolk County in 1996.
Prosecutor: The District Attorney's office agrees that in exchange for the defendant pleading guilty to counts 1 through 3 and counts 7 through 10 of the indictment, and admitting to the uncharged murder of Karen Vergata, the District Attorney's office recommends the following sentence. Counts 1 through 3, murder in the first degree: the maximum sentence of life imprisonment without parole, to run consecutive to each other. Counts 7 through 10: the maximum sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment, to run consecutive to one another and with the sentences on counts 1 through 3. To summarize the foregoing sentence, the defendant agrees to serve three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole regarding counts 1 through 3, followed by four consecutive sentences of 25 years imprisonment to life, to run consecutive to one another.
Prosecutor: Should the defendant allocute to the murder of Karen Vergata, the defendant's guilty plea and this plea agreement will satisfy and cover the uncharged homicide of Karen Vergata. In exchange for all of the above pleas, there will be no further prosecutions pertaining to the murders of the aforementioned eight victims: Karen Vergata, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. The defendant will acknowledge both orally and in writing that he has received voluminous and sufficient discovery to make an informed decision regarding his plea here today. The defendant will further waive any objections to the District Attorney's compliance with Article 245 of the Criminal Procedure Law. The defendant has also agreed to withdraw all motions currently pending before this court.
Prosecutor: As set forth in the written waiver of right to appeal, the defendant agrees to waive his right to appeal, which includes the court's Frye hearing determination, as well as any claim that the sentence imposed by this court is excessive. The defendant further acknowledges that he's been fully apprised by his attorneys of the rights and privileges that he's waiving, and that his waiver is being agreed to knowingly and voluntarily, and made for the purpose of receiving the benefit of not being charged with the murder of Karen Vergata or any other charges related to the deaths of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, and Sandra Costilla. Finally, counts 4, 5, and 6 will be dismissed in satisfaction at the time of sentencing. And I believe in the beginning, with regard to the eight victims, I inadvertently left out Sandra Costilla.
Judge: Mr. Brown?
Michael Brown: Judge, can he be uncuffed for a moment, just to sign something?
Judge: Sergeant?
Court Officer: Yes, Judge.
Michael Brown: All right, Rex, we're going to sign this. [pause] I'm going to sign right here, please. [pause] This is the, the [unclear: "waiver of discovery" / "way we've discovered"] right here. [pause] And then [inaudible] [07:46 to 07:58: papers are signed; a few words, not intelligible.]
Speakers: Thank you. Okay. You good? Yeah. That's it. Thank you.
Michael Brown: Judge, that's our understanding. [unclear: "I'll be joining the application" / "of you joining the application"]. Thank you.
Judge: All right, Mr. Heuermann, before I swear you in, [unclear: "the allocution is taken" / "the application is taken"], I have some questions to ask of you. They're, they're obvious and simple questions, but I have to ask them. Okay?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, Your Honor.
Judge: All right. How old are you?
Rex Heuermann: 62.
Judge: Do you read and write English?
Rex Heuermann: Yes.
Judge: Have you discussed this case with your attorney?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I have.
Judge: Have you had enough time to discuss this case with your attorney?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I have.
Judge: After discussions with your lawyer, do you feel it's in your best interest to plead guilty rather than go to trial?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, Your Honor.
Judge: Are you satisfied with the manner in which your attorney's represented you in this case?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I am.
Judge: [unclear: "I must say" / "And let's say"] that the attorneys on both sides of this case have been excellent, unbelievable lawyers.
Judge: Do you understand that by pleading guilty to a charge, that is the same as if you would have gone to trial and been found guilty of that charge?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, Your Honor.
Judge: Do you understand that by pleading guilty you're waiving a number of very important rights?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, Your Honor.
Judge: All right. Now, these rights include your right to a trial by jury or by the court; your right to have the prosecution produce evidence and witnesses to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; your right to cross-examine those witnesses, and your right to testify on your own behalf or to remain silent; your right to call witnesses or submit evidence on your behalf. Do you understand those rights as I've just explained them?
Rex Heuermann: Yes.
Judge: Do you understand that by pleading guilty you're giving up those rights?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I do.
Judge: All right. Now, a defendant ordinarily retains the right to appeal even after pleading guilty. In this case, however, as a condition of the plea agreement, you are asked to waive your right to appeal. An appeal is a proceeding before another court, and if a defendant cannot afford the cost of an appeal or of a lawyer, the state will bear those costs. On an appeal, the defendant may normally, through his or her lawyer, argue that an error took place in this court which required a modification or a reversal of the conviction. A reversal would require either new proceedings in this court or a dismissal. By waiving your right to appeal, you do not give up your right to take an appeal, but if you take an appeal, you are, by this plea and now separately by this waiver of the right to appeal, giving up the right to have the appellate court consider most claims of error, including, for example, rulings on evidence, discovery, suppression, and pre-trial motions, and whether this sentence is harsh or excessive and should be modified. Do you understand that?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I do.
Judge: Has your attorney explained this to you?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, he has.
Judge: Mr. Brown, I ask you at this point, are you, um, with respect to the motion pending?
Michael Brown: We're going to withdraw that motion.
Judge: Application granted.
Michael Brown: Thank you.
Judge: Are you willing to waive your right to appeal in this case in return for the plea and sentence agreement?
Rex Heuermann: Yes.
Judge: Do you waive your right to appeal voluntarily, of your own free will?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I do.
Judge: Are you entering this plea bargain voluntarily, of your own free will?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I am.
Judge: Has anyone forced, threatened, or coerced you into pleading guilty?
Rex Heuermann: No.
Judge: Are you under the influence of any drug, medication, or alcohol right now?
Rex Heuermann: No.
Judge: Are you under the influence of any substance which has impaired your ability to think clearly or understand what's going on here today?
Rex Heuermann: No.
Judge: Do you understand that by pleading guilty you're waiving any defense you may have to this case?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I do.
Judge: Now, do you understand, again, an obvious question, but I have to ask it: do you understand that as a result of this plea and sentence, you will be convicted of a felony, and that such conviction will result in an enhanced sentence if you are convicted of a felony in the future? Do you understand that?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I do.
Judge: All right. Mr. Brown, again, another silly question, but have you received a sufficient amount of discovery in this matter?
Michael Brown: We certainly have, Judge.
Judge: People, you provided that?
Prosecutor: Yes, Your Honor.
Judge: All right. Now, my promise is to sentence you in a manner that's conditional. At the time of your sentencing, I'll be provided with a pre-sentence report and perhaps additional information about you and your alleged involvement in this matter. If, after reviewing all the relevant information, I learn something which tells me that I cannot in good conscience keep my promise, I shall permit you to withdraw your plea of guilty, reinstate your plea of not guilty, and the case will proceed to trial. Do you understand that?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I do.
Judge: Additionally, my promise is also conditional on the following things. You must cooperate with the probation department. You must not be arrested for any offense in this or any other jurisdiction. Finally, you must appear on the day I set for sentencing or any adjourned date. If you fail to abide by any of these conditions, I will not be bound by my sentencing promise to you, and you will not be permitted to withdraw your guilty plea. Further, I'll be at liberty to sentence you to any appropriate sentence, including the maximum sentence allowed by law. Do you understand that?
Rex Heuermann: Yes, I do.
Judge: Now, other than the promise that was placed on the record by the People, has anyone, myself, your lawyer, the prosecutor, or anyone else, made any promises to you in return for your plea of guilty?
Michael Brown: The only thing I want to interject, Judge: Mr. Tierney has indicated, in exchange for the pleas that we're going to enter into this morning, there'll be no further prosecutions on the eight victims that he's referenced. He is also, my client is also obligated to completely, truthfully, and fairly cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigations Behavioral Analysis Unit, as part of what we've just discussed.
Judge: Any other promises made to you?
Judge Or Michael Brown: Other than what I've just said.
Rex Heuermann: No.
Judge: Are you pleading guilty voluntarily and of your own free will?
Rex Heuermann: Yes.
Judge: All right, we're going to swear in the defendant now.
Speaker: You may move [video ends]. ---