LIVE UPDATES: Confessed Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann to be sentenced today
The sentencing comes just two months after he confessed to killing eight women.
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6:15 a.m. Line outside the courthouse has grown to about 20 people. People started lining up before 5:30 a.m.
5:40 a.m. Small line of media in front of courthouse.
4:14 a.m. Quiet outside the courthouse in Riverhead about five hours before proceedings begin.
Confessed Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann will be sentenced today in Riverhead.
The sentencing comes just two months after he confessed to killing eight women.
News 12 spoke with attorney John Ray, who represents Valerie Mack's son Benjamin Torres.
Ray discussed what to expect to happen in the courtroom.
"He will spend the rest of his natural life in jail," says Ray. "No penalty can ever match what he has done to these women. So in a way, it's a great disappointment that will occur tomorrow."
He is expected to receive three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. He also faces an additional consecutive sentence of 100 years to life for the murders of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and Valerie Mack.
Heuermann pleaded guilty to seven counts of murder for the strangulation deaths of seven women. He also admitted to the killing of an eighth victim, Karen Vergata, which was included under his plea agreement.
"You can expect that the victim's family members will speak, perhaps more than one per family. They are given ten minutes each to speak. Then Heuermann has the right to speak," says Ray.
The Suffolk District Attorney's office says it expects the victim's families to speak during the hearing.
Ray plans to give a victim impact statement on behalf of Torres.
"It's powerful," says Ray. "There is no such thing as closure. In fact, and in Benjamin's case, for sure, there isn't."
Ray says victim impact statements can be difficult for families to give.
"It never becomes dull or it never becomes flat or useless. It's always important," he says.
Asa Ellerup will not attend the sentencing of her former husband, admitted Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann, her attorney said last week.
“Ms. Ellerup believes this day should be centered on the victims, their families, and the profound impact these crimes have had on their lives," attorney Robert Macedonio said Thursday. "Out of respect for those who have endured unimaginable loss and suffering, she does not wish her presence to distract from the purpose of these proceedings.”
Heuermann's attorney, Michael Brown, told News 12 he's unsure if Heuermann will speak during the sentencing.
READ MORE: Gilgo Unsolved Part 1: Origins of the case & a new approach from Suffolk PD
