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Pedro Hernandez, convicted in 2017 of kidnapping and killing 6-year-old Etan Patz, must face a new trial by June 1, 2026 or be released, a Manhattan federal judge ruled. The Second Circuit overturned his conviction in July, citing a flawed instruction on his confessions. Judge Colleen McMahon noted prosecutors want Supreme Court review but set a firm deadline while acknowledging staffing gaps and scattered witnesses. Hernandez’s lawyer urged against a third trial, arguing improper instructions and unwarned statements led to the verdict in the 1979 SoHo case.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.