Overview

• Federal appeals court found the 2017 trial judge gave “manifestly prejudicial” instructions on Hernandez’s confessions, violating clearly established law.
• Jurors were misinformed about the validity of Hernandez’s statements, which he made during a seven-hour interrogation both before and after Miranda warnings.
• The court ordered Hernandez to be retried within a reasonable period or released unless the state initiates new proceedings.
• The Manhattan District Attorney’s office is reviewing the ruling to determine whether to pursue a new trial or drop the charges.
• Etan Patz’s 1979 disappearance led to national reforms including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the AMBER Alert system and National Missing Children’s Day.