The decision by the US Supreme Court to reinstate Pedro Hernandez's murder conviction for the disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz has rekindled hopes that justice will finally be served for a family who endured decades of anguish. The ruling, handed down in a 6-3 vote on Monday, brings an end to a complex and highly publicised saga that saw Hernandez first convicted in 2017, only to have his sentence overturned by the Second Circuit US Court of Appeals in July.
Etan Patz vanished on May 25th, 1979, while walking to a school bus stop in Manhattan's SoHo neighbourhood. His disappearance drew widespread attention, and although his body was never recovered, investigators identified Hernandez as a suspect in 2012. At the time of Patz's disappearance, Hernandez worked at a convenience store located near the boy's bus stop.
Hernandez was subsequently convicted in New York state court of kidnapping and murdering Patz, receiving a prison sentence of 25 years to life. However, his conviction was overturned by the Second Circuit US Court of Appeals, which found that the trial judge had given an inadequate response to a crucial question posed by the jury during deliberations.
The jury had inquired whether they were required to disregard Hernandez's later confessions if they determined that an earlier confession, made before he was informed of his Miranda rights, was involuntary. The trial judge's brief answer – "the answer is no" – sparked criticism from the appeals court, which argued that a more detailed explanation should have been provided.
The Supreme Court disagreed with this assessment, stating in its ruling that "the second circuit exceeded its authority in holding that Hernandez is entitled to relief." The justices further elaborated that while the appeals panel's opinion "appears to reflect serious doubt about the reliability of Hernandez’s confessions," federal law does not permit a federal habeas court to overturn a state-court conviction based on such an evaluation of the evidence.
Lawyers for Hernandez expressed their deep disappointment following the ruling, reiterating their belief that an innocent man remains incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. They have consistently argued that Hernandez's confession was coerced and unreliable, citing his mental illness and the fact he was questioned by police for approximately seven hours before being advised of his rights.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg commended the Supreme Court's decision, affirming his office's commitment to securing justice for Etan and the Patz family. The ruling marks a significant development in this long-running case, which has been marked by complexities and divisions since Hernandez's first trial in 2015 concluded in a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.