Pedro Hernandez, convicted of killing 6-year-old Etan Patz in 1979, was granted a new trial by a federal appeals court. The court found issues with how the trial judge handled a jury note during Hernandez's 2017 trial, determining the instructions given were "clearly wrong" and "manifestly prejudicial." Hernandez has been serving a 25-to-life sentence since his conviction in 2017. The appeals court ruled he must be released unless given a new trial within a reasonable timeframe. The case significantly impacted American parental attitudes towards children's safety.
"The appeals court overturned the conviction because of an issue involving how the trial judge handled a jury note during Hernandez 2017 trial - his second."
"The ruling says that the judges concluded that the state trial court's instruction was not only 'clearly wrong' but 'manifestly prejudicial.'"
"Hernandez, who's from Maple Shade, New Jersey, later confessed to choking Etan. But his lawyers said he was mentally ill and his confession was false."
"Etan was among the first missing children pictured on milk cartons. His case contributed to an era of fear among American families, making anxious parents more protective of kids."
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