Timothy Bittrolff’s DNA lead to the arrest of his brother, John Bittroff, a 48 year old construction worker from Manorville, being held without bail in connection with two Long Island murder cases dating back to the 1990’s. John Bittrolff was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of two women whose bodies were found similarly posed in wooded areas in East Patchogue and Shirley in late 1993 and early 1994. Both victims suffered head injuries and were strangled. According to prosecutors, the killer kept unique pieces of clothing of the victims. Tillis, the attorney for Bittrolff, disputes the charges against his client.
Bittrolff was charged as a result of his brother, who was convicted of criminal contempt in 2013 for violating a protective order. Under a 2012 law, authorities are permitted to obtain a DNA sample of those persons who have been criminally convicted. The sample was a partial match to evidence taken from the crime scenes of the murdered women, which brought authorities to conclude that a brother of the same parents of Timothy Bittrolff was a suspect. Suffolk County District Attorney Spota said a second DNA sample taken from a glass Bittrolff drank out of in custody was also a match to crime scene evidence. District Attorney Spota also stated that there was no evidence connecting Bittrolff to the more recent Gilgo Beach murders, involving 10 bodies found not far from a beach highway.
Attorney Tillis challenged the DNA evidence in court based upon information presented to the judge by Assistant District Attorney Robert Biancavilla that a crime lab in Suffolk was able to enhance the DNA samples from the two murder scenes. The DA has asked the public for help in support of the government’s case that might track the defendant’s and the two murdered women’s movements prior to the crimes.
A second-degree murder charge is a serious charge. If you or a loved one have been charged with such a crime in New York, it is important to seek competent legal advice immediately.
