Pedro Hernandez, convicted for the 1979 murder of 6-year-old Etan Patz, has been granted a new trial by a federal appeals court, which found errors in the original trial. Hernandez has served 25 years to life in prison since his 2017 conviction. The court criticized the trial judge's handling of a jury note as 'clearly wrong' and 'manifestly prejudicial.' His release has been ordered unless a new trial occurs within a reasonable period, putting into question the long-sought justice by Etan's family and the community.
Etan was among the first missing children pictured on milk cartons, contributing to an era of fear among American families and making parents more protective of children.
The appellate court found the trial judge's response to a jury note during Hernandez's second trial to be 'clearly wrong' and 'manifestly prejudicial', warranting a new trial.
Pedro Hernandez, convicted in 2017 for the murder of Etan Patz, has been given a new trial after the appeals court overturned the guilty verdict, citing trial errors.
The case of Etan Patz significantly influenced the handling of missing-child cases, leading to the establishment of a national missing-children hotline.
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