Lee Van Glahn

Background

Lee Van Glahn was 46 when he was tried. He was described as a white former tire worker with a ponytail.

Prosecutors claimed Van Glahn targeted slim African-American prostitutes in their 30s and 40s who had drug abuse issues. The prosecutions described his actions as sexually assaulting the victims and killing them, leaving with a piece of clothing.

The offence

A jury found Van Glahn guilty of first-degree murder in the sodomy and strangling of Arlene Brumfield in Crown Heights in 2001.

The jury also found him guilty of second-degree murder in the suffocation death of Joanna Washington three months later.

In addition, the jury found Van Glahn guilty of trying to rape a third prostitute, Angela Rogers, in February 2002.

Investigation

A DNA expert linked tissue found in Arlene Brumfield’s teeth to Lee Van Glahn. Prosecutors claimed the victim bit Van Glahn when he forced himself upon her.

Van Glahn’s blood was also found on Brumfield’s hand, and experts testified to that finding.

A medical examiner linked tissue prosecutors claimed came from a bitten assailant to Van Glahn. Medical examiner Eric Bieschke testified that tissue found in Brumfield’s mouth was “consistent” with Van Glahn’s DNA.

In court, urologist Christopher Dixon of NYU Medical Center detailed an examination of Van Glahn’s private parts a year after the murders and said he viewed a slight scar. When prosecutor Cheryl Anania asked, “Is that consistent with the defendant being bitten...?”, Dixon responded, “It’s a possibility,” and “There’s lots of possibilities.”

The prosecution case described Van Glahn’s alleged disrespect for his victims, and it included a quotation from a police officer about Van Glahn’s remarks after his arrest.

Arrest

After being pulled off Angela Rogers in February 2001, Van Glahn allegedly asked cops: “Why are you defending these hookers? I'm a white guy. Do we have to go through all this for a crack whore?”

Trial

Van Glahn did not react to a quick verdict in Brooklyn Supreme Court after a gruesome two-week trial.

The jury deliberated for one hour and 10 minutes before finding Van Glahn guilty.

On the witness stand, Rogers tearfully identified Van Glahn as her assailant in emotional testimony.

A fourth prostitute testified and broke into sobs while stating that she saw Van Glahn with Joanna Washington the night she was killed. The fourth prostitute testified that Van Glahn tried to proposition her when she stopped to chat with Washington just hours before Washington’s partially clothed corpse was found.

Van Glahn had been convicted of using twine to strangle Brumfield in a Crown Heights playground on Nov. 29, 2001.

Sentencing

Supreme Court Justice Plummer Lott scheduled sentencing for Nov. 15.

After the Court of Appeals ruled the state’s death penalty law unconstitutional, prosecutors faced the possibility that the death penalty could not be imposed.

The sentencing plan described Van Glahn serving life behind bars for Brumfield’s murder, followed by another 47 years to life in Washington’s death and the assault on Rogers.

Outcome

Prosecutors described a “guilty verdict” for a serial killer who murdered two prostitutes and assaulted one.

Aftermath

Prosecutor Caryn Stepner said: “The families are thrilled and very relieved,” and added, “They've lived with this case for four years.”

Timeline

• Nov. 29, 2001 — Van Glahn was convicted of using twine to strangle Arlene Brumfield in a Crown Heights playground.
• 2001 — A jury found Van Glahn guilty of first-degree murder in the sodomy and strangling of Arlene Brumfield in Crown Heights.
• January 2002 — Joanna Washington’s sexual assault and killing were described in connection with Van Glahn’s trial.
• February 2002 — Angela Rogers was identified as the third prostitute; Van Glahn was found guilty of trying to rape her.
• November 15, 2005 — Lee Van Glahn was sentenced to life in prison.