A Long Island man convicted of two killings in the early 1990s is seeking a review of his case after alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was charged in a homicide during the same period. John Bittrolff, convicted in the murder of Rita Tangredi and Colleen McNamee, is pushing for exoneration after Heuermann was indicted in the killing of Sandra Costilla, a murder Bittrolff was suspected of committing.
Bittrolff’s attorney, Lisa Marcoccia, pointed out the similarities in the crime scenes of the three murders and requested DNA testing on hairs found at the Tangredi and McNamee crime scenes. She also asked for the release of forensic evidence from the Costilla crime scene. The request was denied by District Attorney Ray Tierney, who stated that there was no problem with the cases.
Before Bittrolff’s arrest, investigators believed the same person was responsible for the deaths of Tangredi, McNamee, and Costilla. Marcoccia sent a letter to Tierney asking for records related to Heuermann’s case and any relevant forensic analysis. The goal, she stated, was seeking justice.
Despite filing multiple requests, Marcoccia was denied access to the materials by Assistant District Attorney Guy Arcidiacono. He stated that the fact that Bittrolff was not charged in the Costilla case does not exonerate him from his convictions in the other murders.
Heuermann, linked to Costilla through DNA testing, was arrested for the killings of six women and is awaiting trial. Marcoccia believes that further DNA testing could assist Bittrolff in his appeal, as unknown hairs found on the victims were never tested against. The case continues to unfold as new evidence emerges.
