Court conference held on Hernandez possible 3rd retrial in Patz case
NEW YORK (WABC) -- After 46 years, Pedro Hernandez could be put on trial for a third time after his conviction was overturned in July.
Prosecutors were prepared to discuss their decision to proceed with a third trial against Hernandez in the death of Etan Patz on Monday, but the matter was adjourned to Friday.
He allegedly killed 6-year-old Patz decades ago, and his body still has not been found.
Patz became the first child to have his face on a milk carton, and his disappearance gained national attention.
Fast forward to today: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg says he intends to re-try 64-year-old Pedro Hernandez after a federal appeals court found errors in the way the previous trial judge responded to jury questions about Hernandez's confession.
Patz vanished back in 1979 on his way to a school bus stop in SoHo.
Hernandez, who was a former bodega clerk, became a suspect in 2012 and later confessed. He was eventually sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison.
His lawyer maintained Hernandez was under pressure and made up his account of the story.
Hernandez had told police he lured Patz into a basement and promised him soda.
He said he killed Patz and threw his body away in a plastic bag.
His attorney has said Hernandez is mentally challenged, has a low IQ, and confuses reality with imagination.
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