Stanley Patz, the father of Etan Patz, gave a heart-rending statement to reporters after a judge declared a mistrial because a jury could not agree on whether Pedro Hernandez killed his son.
Below are his complete remarks:
The family of Etan Patz has waited 36 years for a resolution as to what happened to our sweet little boy in 1979. We now have had about three months of trial testimony and jury deliberations. Let me make very clear that we are frustrated and very disappointed that the jury has been unable to come to decision.
Our long ordeal is not over. A number of family members, some from outside of New York City, have followed the trial very closely, attending court as much as scheduling would allow. We have analyzed all the testimony, debated the merits of various witnesses, and come to that conclusion that Pedro Hernandez is guilty of crimes, to which he’s confessed, beyond any reasonable doubt. Before 2012, we had one prime suspect, Jose Ramos.
Some time after Pedro Hernandez was arrested, I spoke to the District Attorney Cy Vance and I asked him to convince me that he had a better case against Hernandez than against Ramos. Mr. Vance invited me by to his office and introduced me to his prosecution team . In the nicest possible way, he told me could not divulge details because I might be called as a witness, so that my testimony would not be influenced by what his team developed. He assured me that if I heard the whole case unfold I would be convinced.
[Manhattan Assistant District Attorney] Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said she would present a strong case but due to the age of the investigation she could not promise me a conviction. However, she added, she felt that the Patz family would finally know what happened to their Etan.
That’s why I attended court every day and that why I am so convinced that Pedro Hernandez kidnapped and killed my son back on May 25 1979.
He is a guilty man who has been conscience stricken due to his deeds and haunted by demons ever since that day.
