New York

Jurors Begin Deliberations in Etan Patz Case

The 6-year-old boy's face was one of the first on milk cartons; his body has never been found.

What to Know

  • Etan Patz disappeared May 25, 1979, the first day he was allowed to walk the two blocks to his bus stop alone
  • Jurors previously deadlocked in the murder trial of Pedro Hernandez, a teenage stock clerk in Patz's neighborhood, prompting a mistrial
  • Detectives say Hernandez confessed to killing the boy; the defense claims he is innocent and was coerced into making a confession

Jurors have started deliberating in the case against the man accused of killing 6-year-old Etan Patz in New York City 37 years ago.

The Manhattan jury got the case against Pedro Hernandez on Wednesday afternoon. An earlier trial for the Maple Shade, New Jersey, man ended in mistrial.

Etan vanished while walking to school on May 25, 1979. His face was one of the first on milk cartons. His body has never been found.

A relative of Hernandez called police after the case made news in 2012 when federal agents dug up a basement looking for evidence.

Police arrested him, and he confessed to choking the boy. His attorney, Harvey Fishbein, says Hernandez is mentally ill and falsely confessed.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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