The US Supreme Court has reinstated the murder conviction in the long-running case of Etan Patz, a six-year-old boy whose disappearance from New York City in 1979 captured national attention. In a 6-3 decision on Monday, the court sided with New York prosecutors, reversing a lower court ruling that had overturned the conviction of Pedro Hernandez, 64.
Case Background
Hernandez was convicted in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Patz in New York state court and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Patz vanished on 25 May 1979 while walking to a school bus stop in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood. Although his body was never found, investigators identified Hernandez as a suspect in 2012. At the time of the disappearance, Hernandez worked at a convenience store near the boy's bus stop.
Appeals Court Ruling Overturned
The Second Circuit US Court of Appeals had overturned Hernandez's conviction in July, ruling that the trial judge gave a “clearly wrong” and “manifestly prejudicial” response to a key jury question. Jurors had asked whether they must disregard Hernandez's later confessions if they found that an earlier one, made before he was advised of his rights, was involuntary. The judge replied, “the answer is no.” The appeals court argued jurors should have received a fuller explanation.
However, the Supreme Court disagreed, stating: “The Second Circuit exceeded its authority in holding that Hernandez is entitled to relief.” The ruling added: “The panel's opinion appears to reflect serious doubt about the reliability of Hernandez's confessions, but [federal law] does not allow a federal habeas court to disturb a state-court conviction based on such an evaluation of the evidence.”
Reactions and Legal Arguments
Hernandez's lawyers expressed disappointment, saying, “We firmly believe that an innocent man is in jail for a crime that he did not commit,” according to the Associated Press. They argued that Hernandez's confession was false, citing his mental illness and the fact that he was questioned for about seven hours before being read his Miranda rights. In his confession, Hernandez said he lured Patz into the basement of the convenience store, strangled him, and discarded his body in an alley.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg praised the decision: “This office has remained steadfast in its pursuit of justice for Etan and the Patz family and will continue to stand by this important conviction.” Hernandez was first tried in 2015, but the case ended in a mistrial after jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict.
