Pedro Hernandez, found guilty for the murder of Etan Patz in 2017, has been awarded a new trial by a federal appeals court. The court indicated a significant error in the trial judge's handling of a jury note. Since 2012, Hernandez had been serving a sentence of 25 years to life. The case of Etan Patz not only impacted national attitudes towards child safety but also catalyzed improvements in law enforcement protocols for missing children.
Pedro Hernandez, convicted for the 1979 murder of Etan Patz, was awarded a new trial after a federal appeals court overturned his guilty verdict, citing judicial error.
The appeals court criticized the trial judge's response to a jury note during Hernandez's 2017 trial, determining it was "clearly wrong" and "manifestly prejudicial."
Etan Patz's disappearance marked a pivotal moment in American history, prompting increased vigilance among parents regarding their children’s safety and the establishment of a national missing-children hotline.
The case of Etan Patz initiated a lasting impact on how law enforcement handles missing-child cases, with the anniversary of his disappearance now recognized as National Missing Children's Day.
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