Live updates: Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann sentencing
Source: CNN
Rex Heuermann, known as the Long Island serial killer, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday. The sentencing took place in Suffolk County Court in New York, bringing a degree of closure to a case that stretches back to 1993 and has haunted communities across Long Island for decades. Heuermann had pleaded guilty to murdering seven women and admitted to killing an eighth over a 17-year period.
In 2010, the remains of four women were discovered on an isolated stretch of Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, earning them the nickname the 'Gilgo Four.' Investigators eventually linked Heuermann to those deaths and four additional victims. In April, he formally confessed to all eight killings, admitting he had strangled the women and discarded their remains in remote locations, leaving their families with years of anguish and unanswered questions.
During the sentencing hearing, family members of most of the victims delivered deeply emotional statements in court. Many spoke directly to Heuermann himself, offering tributes to their loved ones while describing the devastating and lasting impact his crimes had on their lives. Heuermann, for his part, showed little visible reaction as the families poured out their grief, anger, and pain in the packed courtroom.
When given the opportunity to speak, Heuermann offered only a brief statement, saying, 'There are no words I can say. I am responsible for all that was said in this room today.' Judge Timothy Mazzei responded sharply, questioning whether Heuermann felt genuine remorse, noting that he likely regretted being caught more than the harm he caused. The judge's remarks underscored the gravity of the crimes and the suffering inflicted on eight innocent women.
Following the sentencing, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney indicated that Heuermann would be transferred out of Suffolk County by the end of the week. Defense attorney Michael J. Brown noted that Heuermann would likely first be moved to a reception facility before being assigned to a maximum-security prison, given the severity of his convictions. The New York State Department of Corrections was expected to determine the final destination.
Japanese translation
ロングアイランドの連続殺人犯として知られるレックス・ホイアーマンは水曜日、仮釈放なしの終身刑を言い渡された。ニューヨーク州サフォーク郡裁判所で行われた判決は、1993年にまでさかのぼり、長年にわたってロングアイランドの住民を苦しめてきた事件に一定の決着をもたらした。ホイアーマンは17年間にわたって7人の女性を殺害したことを認め、8人目の死亡についても自認していた。
2010年、ギルゴビーチ近くのオーシャンパークウェイの人里離れた場所で4人の女性の遺体が発見され、「ギルゴ・フォー」と呼ばれるようになった。捜査の結果、ホイアーマンはその4人と、さらに4人の被害者の死に関与していたことが判明した。4月に彼はすべての殺害を正式に自白し、女性たちを絞殺した後、遺体を人目につかない場所に遺棄したことを認めた。
判決公判では、大半の被害者遺族が法廷で深く胸を打つ陳述を行った。多くの遺族がホイアーマン本人に直接語りかけ、亡くなった肉親への追悼の言葉を述べるとともに、彼の犯罪が自分たちの人生に与えた壊滅的かつ永続的な影響を訴えた。ホイアーマンは遺族たちの悲しみと怒りの言葉にほとんど反応を示さなかった。
発言の機会を与えられたホイアーマンは短い言葉を述べるにとどまり、「言うべき言葉がない。今日この場で語られたすべてのことに私は責任がある」と語った。ティモシー・マッゼイ判事はその言葉に厳しく反応し、ホイアーマンが本当に後悔しているのか疑問を呈した。「あなたは捕まったことを後悔しているだけだ」と述べ、8人の無実の女性に対して犯した罪の重さを改めて浮き彫りにした。
判決後、サフォーク郡地方検事のレイ・ティアニーは、ホイアーマンが今週中にサフォーク郡外に移送される予定だと述べた。弁護士のマイケル・J・ブラウンは、まず受入施設に送られた後、7件の殺人罪での有罪判決の重大性から、最終的には最高警備刑務所に収容される可能性が高いと指摘した。最終的な収容先はニューヨーク州矯正局が決定するとされている。
Key vocabulary
- without the possibility of parolephrase
A sentencing term meaning the convicted person must serve their full life sentence and cannot be released early under any circumstances.
和訳: 仮釈放の可能性なし（終身刑）
The judge sentenced the convicted murderer to life without the possibility of parole, ensuring he would never walk free again.
- hauntedverb
To continually trouble or disturb someone or a community over a long period of time, often used for unresolved crimes or traumatic events.
和訳: （記憶・事件などが）つきまとう、悩ませ続ける
The unsolved disappearance of the young student has haunted the small town for more than two decades.
- closurenoun
A sense of resolution or emotional finality, particularly after a traumatic experience or loss.
和訳: 区切り、心の整理
The verdict finally gave the victim's family the closure they had been desperately seeking for years.
- gut-wrenchingadjective
Causing a very strong feeling of distress, sadness, or anguish; deeply upsetting.
和訳: 胸が張り裂けるような、心に突き刺さる
