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Supreme Court Petition to Reinstate 1979 Murder Conviction

12/19/2025

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Summary

Story summary

New York City prosecutors asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate the murder conviction of Pedro Hernandez for the 1979 disappearance of Etan Patz.
The move follows a federal appeals court overturning Hernandez's 2017 conviction due to inadequate jury instructions.
Prosecutors say the appeals court's ruling undermines the law limiting federal intervention in state convictions.
Hernandez remains serving a 25-to-life sentence, and a retrial is scheduled with jury selection due by June 1, 2025.

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Story summary

New York City prosecutors asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate the murder conviction of Pedro Hernandez for the 1979 disappearance of Etan Patz.
The move follows a federal appeals court overturning Hernandez's 2017 conviction due to inadequate jury instructions.
Prosecutors say the appeals court's ruling undermines the law limiting federal intervention in state convictions.
Hernandez remains serving a 25-to-life sentence, and a retrial is scheduled with jury selection due by June 1, 2025.