Pedro Hernandez's conviction for the 1979 murder of six-year-old Etan Patz has been shaken up by a recent ruling from a U.S. appeals court, which has ordered a new trial or the man’s immediate release. The case, stemming from Patz's mysterious disappearance on his way to a school bus in Manhattan, turned into a high-profile focus on missing children across America.
Hernandez was first found guilty for the crime in 2017 after an earlier trial in 2015 resulted in a mistrial. Throughout his appeal, he claimed the jury received flawed guidance that conflicted with established federal law, affecting his court outcome significantly. The appeals court agreed, stating there was a major error in how instructions were delivered about Hernandez's confessions.
The disturbing disappearance of Etan Patz rocked New York City. Around the country, he became the face of a national campaign promoting awareness of missing kids, with his image featured on milk cartons and flyers. Hernandez had confessed during an interrogation, admitting to luring Patz to a basement. However, he has a history of mental illness, and his confession came after a long stretch of questioning.
The Second Circuit Court pointed out that the jury's confusion over whether to consider Hernandez's voluntary confession in light of its questionable nature could have swayed their verdict. In a notable twist, the jury convicted Hernandez of felony murder but acquitted him of deliberate murder.
His lawyer expressed hope that the latest ruling will shift focus back to finding Patz, emphasizing the need to reconsider whether the right person is being blamed for the child’s disappearance.
Hernandez was first found guilty for the crime in 2017 after an earlier trial in 2015 resulted in a mistrial. Throughout his appeal, he claimed the jury received flawed guidance that conflicted with established federal law, affecting his court outcome significantly. The appeals court agreed, stating there was a major error in how instructions were delivered about Hernandez's confessions.
The disturbing disappearance of Etan Patz rocked New York City. Around the country, he became the face of a national campaign promoting awareness of missing kids, with his image featured on milk cartons and flyers. Hernandez had confessed during an interrogation, admitting to luring Patz to a basement. However, he has a history of mental illness, and his confession came after a long stretch of questioning.
The Second Circuit Court pointed out that the jury's confusion over whether to consider Hernandez's voluntary confession in light of its questionable nature could have swayed their verdict. In a notable twist, the jury convicted Hernandez of felony murder but acquitted him of deliberate murder.
His lawyer expressed hope that the latest ruling will shift focus back to finding Patz, emphasizing the need to reconsider whether the right person is being blamed for the child’s disappearance.
