US court orders new trial for man convicted of killing Etan Patz

July 21, 2025

A US appeals court has ruled that Pedro Hernandez, convicted in 2017 for the 1979 murder and disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz in New York City, must receive a new trial or be released. The ruling states that the jury received improper instructions regarding Hernandez's confessions, contradicting established federal law in a way that was not harmless to his case. Patz's disappearance became one of the most prominent missing children's cases in the US, leading to nationwide awareness campaigns featuring the boy's face on milk cartons and posters.

Who is affected

Pedro Hernandez, the convicted store owner who may now receive a new trial or be released
The family of Etan Patz, the six-year-old boy who disappeared in 1979
The Manhattan District Attorney's office, which must respond to the ruling
The jurors from the 2017 trial who received what the appeals court deemed improper instructions

What action is being taken

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals is ordering a new trial or release for Hernandez
The Manhattan District Attorney's office is reviewing the appeals court decision
Hernandez's attorney is calling for the charges to be dropped entirely

Why it matters

The case was one of the most prominent missing children's cases in US history
It sparked nationwide awareness campaigns about missing children
The ruling hinges on constitutional protections regarding confessions and Miranda rights
The decision highlights issues with how confessions from individuals with mental illness and low IQ are handled in the justice system
The 1979 disappearance has haunted investigators for decades as Patz has never been found

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond the court's order that Hernandez must receive a new trial or be released, and the Manhattan District Attorney's office reviewing the decision.

Read full article from source: BBC