The U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the murder conviction of Pedro Hernandez for the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz.
Etan Patz vanished on May 25, 1979, while walking to his school bus stop in Manhattan. His case garnered national attention and led to significant changes in how missing children cases are handled. Hernandez was convicted in 2017, but a federal appeals court overturned the conviction in July 2022, citing improper jury instructions.
On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of New York prosecutors, reversing the appeals court's decision and reinstating Hernandez's conviction. The court stated that the appeals court exceeded its authority under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA).
Hernandez will continue to serve his sentence, with eligibility for parole in 2037. The ruling underscores the limitations placed on federal courts regarding state convictions under AEDPA.
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“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.”
“The Second Circuit exceeded its authority in holding that Hernandez is entitled to relief.”
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