The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday reinstated the murder conviction of Pedro Hernandez in the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz. The justices ruled 6-3, with all three liberal judges dissenting, to reverse a federal appeals court decision that had overturned Hernandez's conviction.
Core Facts and Immediate Action
The Supreme Court's unsigned opinion stated that federal courts cannot second-guess state courts under a 1996 federal law. The justices agreed with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who had called the basis for overturning Hernandez’s conviction a "slender reed" given the five-month-long trial with 66 witnesses.
Deeper Dive and Context
Background of the Case
Etan Patz disappeared on May 25, 1979, while walking to a bus stop in SoHo, Manhattan. His body was never found, and he was declared legally dead in 2001. The case became a landmark in child abduction awareness, with Patz becoming one of the first children featured on milk cartons.
Legal Proceedings
Hernandez, who worked near the bus stop, was arrested in 2012 after a tipster contacted police. He confessed to luring Patz into a convenience store and strangling him. His first trial ended in a mistrial in 2015, and he was convicted in a second trial in 2017. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit overturned the conviction in 2023, citing how a judge answered a question from jurors during deliberations.
Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court's decision reinstated Hernandez's conviction, stating that the Second Circuit exceeded its authority. Hernandez, now 64, is serving a sentence of 25 years to life in prison and will be eligible for parole in 2037.
Perspectives and Reactions
Hernandez's attorney, Harvey Fishbein, expressed disappointment, stating that an innocent man is in jail. Bragg's office reaffirmed its commitment to justice for the Patz family. Hernandez's defense team has argued that his confession was false due to a mental illness that causes hallucinations.
Long-Term Implications
The ruling underscores the limits of federal court review of state criminal trials under the 1996 federal law. It also highlights the enduring impact of the Patz case on child abduction awareness and legal proceedings.