The Supreme Court reinstated the murder conviction of Pedro Hernandez in the case of 6-year-old Etan Patz, who disappeared in 1979. In a 6-3 decision, the justices reversed a federal appeals court ruling that had overturned the verdict due to flawed juror instructions during Hernandez’s retrial. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that the appellate court’s grounds for overturning were weak and highlighted the extensive five-month trial.
Hernandez, now 64, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. His confession, made after lengthy police interrogation, has been challenged by his lawyers, who argue he suffers from mental illness that impacts his reliability.
Etan vanished while walking to a school bus stop, becoming one of the first missing children featured on milk cartons. After two trials—one resulting in a hung jury and the other finding Hernandez guilty—the case is set for a third trial, pending further proceedings. Bragg expressed hope for the Patz family in light of the ruling, while Hernandez’s legal team voiced disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision.
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