Etan Patz case: 1979 disappearance of NYC boy continues to hang-out investigators

This story initially aired on April 14, 2018.

Etan Patz walked out of his New York Metropolis dwelling headed for a college bus cease simply two blocks away. The 6-year-old by no means made it to highschool that day in 1979 – and he is by no means been discovered.   

His disappearance is a narrative that shocked New York Metropolis and to this present day haunts legislation enforcement investigators who’ve spent a long time looking for him. The disappearance of the younger boy is greater than a lacking individual’s case. Certainly, it modified the best way dad and mom watched over their youngsters.

“I feel this was some of the vital unsolved instances within the historical past of New York Metropolis,” Manhattan District Legal professional Cyrus Vance, Jr. inform “48 Hours” correspondent Richard Schlesinger.

“Each lacking little one case is essential, however this was one of many oldest ones we had,” says NYPD Lieutenant Chris Zimmerman.

Etan Patz disappeared at a time lengthy earlier than social media and each storefront had a video digital camera. He had requested his dad and mom to let him do the quick stroll to the bus cease alone for the primary time. He had a greenback to purchase a soda at a nook deli. His dad and mom have been unaware he was lacking till he did not return dwelling after college. Since then, Patz’s smiling picture used on lacking individual’s fliers is seared into the minds of individuals across the nation.

“That photograph will at all times hang-out me. And each single day that I despatched my son out to highschool, I considered Etan Patz,” says legal professional Brian O’Dwyer. “And I used to be considered one of eight million New Yorkers like that.”

Police started looking for Patz by going door to door. Through the years, the case would develop chilly. However there was one neighborhood man police suspected of being a pedophile, whom they’d their eye on virtually from the start: Jose Ramos. Ramos, in response to legislation enforcement, had mentioned he took a baby again to his residence and molested him. Ramos advised them he was 90 p.c positive it was Patz. The case in opposition to Ramos, nevertheless, lacked corroboration, and by no means moved ahead, says Vance.

Vance vowed to take a contemporary have a look at Etan’s disappearance when he took workplace in 2010. “I used to be on the hunt for the Patz household to seek out the killer,” he says.

Then in 2012, the NYPD acquired a tip from a relative of Pedro Hernandez, saying Hernandez had talked about hurting a boy across the time Patz disappeared. Throughout questioning by police, Hernandez advised them he choked a boy. He later took them to places close to the Patz dwelling. Was Hernandez telling the reality?

“The information of that confession make no sense,” says Hernandez’s legal professional Harvey Fishbein. “He is unreliable due to his psychiatric situation.”

What occurred to Etan Patz? 

THE SEARCH FOR ETAN

After greater than 30 years, it took a brand new workforce of investigators and a brand new prosecutor to breathe new life into an previous case – looking for out what occurred to Etan Patz. 

District Legal professional Cyrus Vance Jr.:  You actually ought to by no means shut the e book on a case in the event you assume there’s the likelihood that it may be solved.

In 2012, investigators have been actually digging for clues simply blocks away from the place Etan was final seen.  After hundreds of dead-end leads, the general public held its collective breath hoping, this time, the case may lastly be solved.

Etan Patz was simply 6 years previous, and like many youngsters that age, he wished some independence. It was 1979, the final day of college earlier than the Memorial Day weekend, and Etan’s mom, Julie, lastly agreed to let Etan stroll alone to the college bus cease. It was simply two blocks away from their Manhattan residence.

Julie Patz | Etan’s mom [1980]: Sure, I want I hadn’t let him go to the bus cease that morning alone. …My emotions that morning have been very constructive about his going.

Etan was carrying a e book bag and a greenback to purchase a soda at a nook retailer close to the bus cease – after which, he appeared to fade.

Julie and her husband Stan did not notice their son was lacking till that afternoon when he did not come dwelling from college. Julie referred to as the college and realized Etan by no means arrived and his pals by no means noticed him on the bus cease. So she referred to as the police.

Patrick Eanniello | Former NYPD detective: I did not wanna begin with one thing dangerous occurred to him … I’d relatively begin in my thoughts, in my coronary heart, that it was only a lacking individual.

Former NYPD Det. Patrick Eanniello instantly headed to the Patz’s dwelling.

Patrick Eanniello: After which we began to — knock on doorways. “Anybody see this boy?” … We labored all that day, we labored all that night time. After which the next day I acquired dwelling. And – I — I used to be prepared to interrupt down myself.

Richard Schlesinger: As a result of?

Patrick Eanniello: As a result of I — I noticed my son.

Richard Schlesinger: And he was Etan’s age?

Patrick Eanniello [emotional]: Uh-huh, yeah.

A command middle was arrange within the Patz’s residence.

Stan Patz|Etan’s father [1979]: Each my spouse and I proceed to be assured that he’s alive and we hope he is being cared for by somebody who may need a little one as cute as he.

Julie Patz [1980]: The police didn’t know us. We needed to be cleared of suspicion in addition to many different folks.

Etan’s picture was splashed on storefronts and in newspapers. Etan’s father is knowledgeable photographer and took many images of his son. The images captured the general public’s coronary heart—and captured Etan’s spirit.

Julie Patz [1980]: He is simply effervescent over with life and … He at all times noticed the constructive aspect when different folks noticed destructive.  He’s simply an unimaginable individual.

Stan Patz [1980]: Our 6-year-old boy’s a loving, trusting little one. …We expect an grownup might have satisfied him to come back with him.

The police canvassed the neighborhood, speaking to folks on the road and interviewing employees at a nook retailer close to the college bus cease.

Det. Invoice Butler [1980]: The longer we have gone with none dangerous information, I feel that is good.

Detective Invoice Butler was Eanniello’s accomplice.

Det. Invoice Butler [1980]: We have now leads, however we do not know the place we’re gonna find yourself on the leads that we’ve now.

Det. Invoice Butler [1980]: While you go this lengthy on one thing like this, you do, you are feeling such as you’re in search of your individual son.

The seek for Etan dragged on. Detective Butler, a father with six kids, lived and breathed the case.

Richard Schlesinger: How did this case affect Invoice Butler?

Patrick Eanniello: Greater than I might think about. He was very, very tied into the case.

In 1986, Invoice Butler took his personal life. There was hypothesis Butler’s frustration with this case could have been a part of the explanation why.

The search went on with out Butler. Julie and Stan had two different kids to guard: Etan’s older sister and youthful brother.

Julie Patz [1980]: We preserve saying we attempt to lead regular lives, however in so many small methods, it is simply completely unimaginable, I imply we’ve his belongings all around the home … And but to place them away is saying to us and our youngsters he is gone and never coming again.

Stan Patz [1980]: And if we’re affected person we’ll get him again.

However their persistence went unrewarded.

The Patz’s did the whole lot they may to maintain their story within the information. And that helped different lacking kids.

Within the Eighties, milk cartons confirmed Etan’s face, after which, these of others. However Etan remained among the many lacking.

By 1998, a brand new detective was heading the Lacking Individuals Squad. Phil Mahony was drawn to the case by, of all issues, a poem titled “The Lacking Boy” by Sharon Olds — a few mom and son Etan’s lacking poster.

Phil Mahony: And — I learn that poem and I mentioned, [snaps fingers] “That is it. …I wanna work on the Etan Patz case.

Phil Mahony: It was just about inactive and had been inactive for a few years.

Richard Schlesinger: It was chilly?                             

Phil Mahony: It was colder than chilly … we needed to discover the reviews and put them again collectively.

Mahony sorted via practically twenty years value of labor  — and a few weird ideas.

Phil Mahony: This tip about this cult in Westchester.

Richard Schlesinger: Did that supply say that Etan was — there, at that cult?

Phil Mahony: Yeah, that Etan was killed by that cult and dumped.

The leads led nowhere. However, there was somebody who police have been very excited about: Jose Ramos, the person who mentioned he could have encountered a boy in Washington Sq. Park, not removed from the place the Patz’s lived. 

Richard Schlesinger: Did he say it was Etan Patz?

Phil Mahony He has mentioned he was 90 p.c positive it was Etan Patz.

A PERSON OF INTEREST?

In 1982, Jose Ramos was picked up by police for stealing some books from kids. He was homeless, residing in a drainage tunnel in New York Metropolis. Former Lieutenant Phil Mahony recollects Ramos had some disturbing images.

Phil Mahony: He had a bunch of — images … of youngsters that seemed like Etan Patz. …He was — a shady character so he loved lookin’ at these images.

So Ramos was questioned by investigators concerning the images:

ASSISTANT D.A.  FRANK CARROLL [evidence tape]: Did you ever hear of a child named Etan Patz?

JOSE RAMOS: Yeah, that was within the papers in ’79.

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ADA FRANK CARROLL: What’s about … that folks say appears to be like like Etan?

JOSE RAMOS: The smile, I feel.

ADA FRANK CARROLL: How concerning the hair?

JOSE RAMOS: Perhaps the hair. Not that a lot…

JOSE RAMOS: Susan used to maintain him, Susan Harrington.

Susan Harrington, Ramos’s girlfriend, walked Etan to highschool throughout a bus strike shortly earlier than Etan disappeared.

ADA FRANK CARROLL: Do you know the place he lived?

JOSE RAMOS: In SoHo. Nicely, it was within the papers.

Investigators suspected Ramos was a pedophile who might have ties to Etan.

Phil Mahony: There was sufficient there, there was lots there to attract consideration to him definitely.

Etan typically performed in Washington Sq. Park — a spot Ramos was recognized to go to.

Phil Mahony: Jose Ramos … has mentioned a number of instances that on Could 25, 1979 … he was right here … when a younger, small, sevenish … blond child got here as much as him and began talkin’ to him. And Jose Ramos mentioned at that time he finally took the child again to his residence.

Ramos advised that story to Federal Prosecutor Stuart GraBois, who had been working the case since 1985. GraBois and the FBI had, via the years, tracked leads world wide. However they at all times got here again to Ramos.

Stuart GraBois: In June 1988, Ramos was dropped at my workplace … and proceeded to state … that he was 90 p.c positive that the younger boy he took that day, Could 25,1979, was the identical boy whose image he noticed each within the newspaper and on tv  —  that being Etan Patz.

Investigators realized Ramos had sexually molested kids across the nation. 

Stuart GraBois: One of many issues he did is journey round the US in a transformed college bus, giving out Matchbox automobiles and toys and baseball playing cards to kids — to younger boys to entice them onto the bus.

GraBois wished to prosecute Ramos even when it wasn’t for the Etan Patz case. He succeeded in Pennsylvania. In 1990, Ramos pleaded responsible to molesting an 8-year previous boy and was sentenced to 10 to twenty years in jail.

Richard Schlesinger: You have acquired a recognized pedophile who says he was 90 p.c positive he picked up Etan Patz, you know– across the time he disappeared. Why did not you simply go,” OK, case closed”?

Phil Mahony: As a result of we did not have that corroborated proof — did not have that one one that mentioned, “Yeah, I noticed him and Etan in Washington Sq. Park.”

Investigators hunted for extra proof. In 2000, Mahony ordered a search of an residence constructing Ramos lived in when Etan disappeared. Ramos had allegedly advised a fellow inmate this is the place he disposed of Etan’s physique.

Phil Mahony: When he was in jail, Jose Ramos mentioned … that he put Etan into the furnace within the basement.

Richard Schlesinger: Of this constructing?

Phil Mahony: Of this constructing, and you realize, burned up the physique.

However like so many ideas within the Etan Patz case, nothing got here of it.

Phil Mahony: …there was simply by no means that subsequent factor to make you say, “Yup, that is it. Shut the books, we acquired the man.”

Mahony felt they did not have sufficient on Ramos to cost him with Etan’s disappearance. Neither did the Manhattan D.A. on the time. However Stan Patz and Stuart GraBois have been changing into extra satisfied Ramos was their man.

Stan Patz [2000]: I consider this man stalked my son. I consider he lured him again to his residence. I feel he used him like bathroom paper and I feel he threw him away [emotional].

Brian O’Dwyer is a distinguished N.Y. legal professional and began representing the Patz’s. He was pals with Stuart GraBois, and in 2000 he approached GraBois with an concept.

Brian O’Dwyer: And I mentioned, you realize, you’ve gotten a possibility — chances are you’ll not have … thought of it, however of taking a civil case in opposition to Ramos.

It might be a wrongful loss of life swimsuit. O’Dwyer hoped Ramos could be subpoenaed and may say one thing incriminating to assist convey a legal case. However earlier than the wrongful loss of life case might proceed, O’Dwyer needed to ask the Patz’s to formally quit hope. They must ask a courtroom to declare their son useless.

Brian O’Dwyer: It is one of many hardest issues I’ve ever achieved in my apply.

And, on June 19, 2001, a choose declared that Etan Patz was formally useless.

Stan Patz [2000]: I used to have fantasies of a taxi cab — pulling up in entrance, and Etan popping out of it. However — that was a very long time in the past. I do not entertain these fantasies any extra.

The Patz’s legal professional went to the Pennsylvania jail the place Ramos was being held to interview the person he believed had killed Etan Patz.

Brian O’Dwyer: This was evil incarnate. …If I had met him on the road I’d have been very scared.

Richard Schlesinger: And what did he say?

Brian O’Dwyer: He mentioned that sure, certainly, he was on the road that day. And he picked up a little bit boy by the identify of Jimmy.

This time, Ramos didn’t say Etan’s identify.

Richard Schlesinger: Have been you satisfied that Ramos was the man?

Brian O’Dwyer: Completely.        

Ramos would by no means reply extra questions or testify in courtroom, and the Patz’s gained the civil case in opposition to him.

Brian O’Dwyer [to reporters in 2001]: As soon as and for all we’ve a ultimate declaration by a courtroom of legislation that Jose  Antonio Ramos induced the loss of life of Etan Patz.

It was a victory, nevertheless it was not the tip of the struggle.

Brian O’Dwyer: The last word goal was to get a legal prosecution

Richard Schlesinger: Did you assume it was sufficient to prosecute him criminally?

Brian O’Dwyer: I did.

The Manhattan D.A. disagreed. He nonetheless wouldn’t cost Jose Ramos. 

Brian O’Dwyer: He thought he could not show it past an inexpensive doubt.

Richard Schlesinger: Do you retain fascinated by this case, or did you progress on?

Brian O’Dwyer: No, I by no means moved on. By no means moved on —

Richard Schlesinger: Actually?

Brian O’Dwyer: No. Jose Antonio Ramos was in jail, unpunished, for what I believed was the loss of life of Etan Patz.

However 33 years after Etan disappeared there was a tip — and it might change the whole lot on this case.

A TURNING POINT

Stan Patz [2000]: I – [sighs, emotional] I take into consideration my son daily. He is — gone, however I’ll always remember him.

As time handed for Stan and Julie Patz, Etan was, and is, frozen in time as a 6-year-old gone lacking. They remained satisfied that Jose Ramos, the pedophile who was behind bars in Pennsylvania, was answerable for Etan’s loss of life.

Stan Patz [2000]: I ship him a — poster twice a yr. …and I write on the again, “What did you do to my little boy?”

From the time Etan disappeared in 1979 till 2009, one man held the place of Manhattan District Legal professional: Robert Morgenthau. He by no means felt there was sufficient proof to indict Ramos. However Morgenthau was retiring, and Cyrus Vance Jr. was operating for the workplace.

Cyrus Vance Jr.: The Patz household reached out to me. …And Stan … requested me if I’d — look into the case.

And when Vance grew to become Manhattan D.A. in 2010, he did look into it.

Lt. Chris Zimmerman: Cy Vance was like, “Pay attention, we would wish to re — you realize, contemporary set of eyes, relook at it, go backwards, see what was missed.”

Lt. Chris Zimmerman headed the Lacking Individuals Squad on the time, and a part of the contemporary look included one other have a look at Jose Ramos.

D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr.: We seemed on the case for fairly some time and I by no means was satisfied … that there was proof past an inexpensive doubt that Jose Ramos was Etan’s killer.

And so the seek for one other suspect continued.

The FBI had been concerned on and off since Etan’s disappearance.  In April 2012, investigators took one other have a look at a handyman who used to work for the Patz’s. Together with the NYPD, they began that dig. It was on the former web site of the handyman’s workshop. 

FBI Agent [to reporters]: We’re executing a search warrant concerning the disappearance of Etan Patz.

It was not removed from the place the Patz’s nonetheless lived.

The dig went on for 5 days, as investigators sifted via subterranean areas and decades-old grime. It was beginning to appear like there may lastly be some solutions. Ultimately, nothing was discovered. The handyman was cleared. However this was not simply one other useless finish – it was far from it. In truth, it led to the primary main turning level on this case.

Det. Dave Ramirez: The decision comes into our workplace, onto the cellphone proper subsequent to my desk.

It got here from Jose Lopez, who referred to as police after he watched information protection of the dig. He mentioned his brother-in-law could be concerned within the case.

Detective Dave Ramirez helped lead the investigation.

Richard Schlesinger: Who was his brother-in-law?

Det. Dave Ramirez: Pedro Hernandez.

Richard Schlesinger: Had you ever heard the identify Pedro Hernandez earlier than?

Det. Dave Ramirez: No, sir, no.

Richard Schlesinger: What did he inform you about his brother-in-law?

Det. Dave Ramirez: That he had made — statements to numerous folks about him having achieved one thing actually dangerous to a baby in New York.

Pedro Hernandez labored as a inventory boy at that nook retailer by the bus cease. He was 18 when Etan disappeared. And shortly after, Hernandez left that job and moved dwelling to New Jersey.  Through the years, he had been divorced, remarried and had kids. He labored on and off at menial jobs and had no legal file. However he had advised folks about hurting an unnamed little one.

Richard Schlesinger: So who had Hernandez spoken to?

Det. Dave Ramirez: There was a spiritual group, apparently there was a retreat that they’d gone on … all of them had – data … to the truth that Mr. Hernandez did one thing to this little one.

Ramirez realized Hernandez additionally advised his ex-wife and a pal, comparable tales.  Detective’s notes from 1979 present police on the time knew Hernandez labored on the retailer, however it’s unclear if he was ever questioned.

Richard Schlesinger: Why do you suppose he was not a suspect earlier than?

Lt. Chris Zimmerman: I haven’t got the reply for it. I wasn’t there. You already know, I — I by no means acquired readability on that and I do not assume he did both.

About two weeks after they realized about Hernandez, on Could 23, 2012, police went to his New Jersey dwelling to speak to him.

Det. Dave Ramirez: I had — advised him that we have been investigating an previous … lacking individuals case … in New York Metropolis. …At that time, he like, he misplaced all the colour in his face.

Nonetheless, Hernandez readily agreed to go to the prosecutor’s workplace in Camden, N.J. to be questioned.

Richard Schlesinger: Was it laborious to get him speaking?

Det. Dave Ramirez: No, no.

He talked for six hours with out a lawyer or a recording of the dialog. Throughout that point, he was proven a lacking poster of Etan Patz. Later, the video digital camera was turned on and Hernandez advised them about seeing a boy outdoors the shop the place he labored:

INVESTIGATOR: Are you able to begin telling us once more precisely what you simply advised us earlier than, about what occurred.

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PEDRO HERNANDEZ: He was ready for the college bus.

INVESTIGATOR: Who was ready for the college bus?

PEDRO HERNANDEZ: The child.

INVESTIGATOR: What’s his identify?

PEDRO HERNANDEZ: Etan Patz.

These are the phrases that modified the course of considered one of America’s most heartbreaking chilly instances. Hernandez went on, telling police he provided Etan a soda:

PEDRO HERNANDEZ: After which I ask him — I ask him to go to the, within the basement with me to get the soda.

It’s laborious to hearken to his story:

SECOND INVESTIGATOR: After which what occurred after that?

PEDRO HERNANDEZ: After which I choke him … Yeah, once I choked him he went like this [puts his hands to his throat, then goes limp and drops his arms to his side].

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INVESTIGATOR: What made you do that?

PEDRO HERNANDEZ: I do not know.

INVESTIGATOR: You do not know?

PEDRO HERNANDEZ: …It was one thing that it simply occurred.

He indicators Etan’s lacking poster, writing: “I’m sorry … and “choke him”

INVESTIGATOR: And also you acknowledge this to be the boy that you just choked that day?

PEDRO HERNANDEZ: Sure.

After the confession, Hernandez confirmed investigators the place he mentioned it occurred 33 years earlier.  Lt. Zimmerman recorded the stroll together with his cellphone:

Richard Schlesinger: So Hernandez advised you right here that this was the basement entrance…

Det. Dave Ramirez: Sure.

Richard Schlesinger: So in response to Hernandez, Etan was … that manner from the place we’re.

Det. Dave Ramirez: Sure.

Richard Schlesinger: And he lured him in — into the basement via this door.

Det. Dave Ramirez: Sure, sir.

Hernandez mentioned he put him in a field after choking him.

Det. Dave Ramirez: Put him in a field.

Richard Schlesinger: After which put the field on his shoulder.

Det. Dave Ramirez: Carry the field up out right here … At this level, I mentioned “might you present us precisely the best way you walked that day?” We crossed the road to the opposite aspect.

Richard Schlesinger: And the way far down did he go?

Det. Dave Ramirez: After which he went right down to the nook.

Hernandez confirmed them the place he says he disposed of a field with Etan’s physique.

Police consider the field was picked up by rubbish collectors. Hernandez was interviewed once more hours after the SoHo stroll, this time by a prosecutor within the Manhattan D.A.’s workplace:

PEDRO HERNANDEZ [to Asst. DA]: Then I choked him. And I attempted to let go, however I simply could not let him go.

He repeated the identical story. And later that day, Pedro Hernandez was arrested.

Then-NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg [to reporters]:  We have now a suspect in custody who has made an announcement to the NYPD, implicating himself within the disappearance of Etan Patz, 33 years in the past.

Cyrus Vance Jr:  He had confessed to killing Etan Patz. It was a reputable confession.

So says the prosecutor. However quickly, questions have been being requested concerning the six hours when Hernandez was questioned earlier than the videotaping started.

Richard Schlesinger [to Vance]: Why weren’t these first hours videotaped?

UNDER ARREST

Lt. Chris Zimmerman: It was a day or two shy of the thirty third anniversary. It was a day or two shy that we made the arrest.

Then-NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly [to reporters]: This night the NYC police division is asserting the arrest of Pedro Hernandez…

Lt. Chris Zimmerman [to reporters]:  Mr. Patz was stunned, a little bit stunned and I’d say  overwhelmed.

Lt. Chris Zimmerman: You already know, it needed to sink in. You already know, 30-something years, it needed to sink in. …I can not think about not having a solution for that a few years.

For many years, Stan and Julie Patz believed one other man was answerable for their son’s disappearance in 1979.

Stan Patz [2000]: I consider this man stalked my son. …And I need him to confess it [emotional].

Now, somebody was admitting it. Nevertheless it was Pedro Hernandez.

PEDRO HERNANDEZ [to investigators]: He was ready for the college bus. …then he went down the steps … once I choked him [puts his hands to his throat] he went like this [goes limp and drops arms to his side].

After Hernandez was arrested, he was considered a suicide threat and brought to Bellevue Hospital.

Harvey Fishbein | Legal professional: I met him on the … jail ward.

Harvey Fishbein is Pedro Hernandez’s court-appointed legal professional.

Harvey Fishbein: …and I walked out of there and I mentioned, “The person has a difficulty that must be addressed.”

PEDRO HERNANDEZ [psychiatric exam video]: I hear voices generally, speaking to me.

A protection psychiatrist identified Hernandez with a character dysfunction that may go away an individual unable to distinguish between what’s actual and what’s not.

PEDRO HERNANDEZ [psychiatric exam video]: I had, uh, visions.

Richard Schlesinger: Do you assume Pedro Hernandez is aware of if he killed Etan Patz or not?

Harvey Fishbein: I – I feel he is aware of he did not. And that is the-

Richard Schlesinger: You assume? Are you positive?

Harvey Fishbein: It is laborious to look into somebody’s thoughts, which is without doubt one of the actual issues we’ve right here.

The prognosis of psychological sickness could be a significant a part of Hernandez’s protection.  In January 2015, two- and-a-half years after his arrest, Hernandez went on trial for the homicide of Etan Patz.

NEWS REPORT: Etan Patz’s father walked silently previous reporters within the courthouse … lastly hoping to see justice served practically 36 years after his younger son’s disappearance.

At trial, the protection would argue that Hernandez’s psychological sickness made him make up the entire story of murdering Etan, beginning with seeing him by the bus cease.

PEDRO HERNANDEZ [to investigators]: He was ready for the college bus.

Harvey Fishbein: Pedro says, “I noticed him standing there.”

Harvey Fishbein: But, no dad or mum that was on the bus cease that morning who knew Etan, noticed Etan that morning. …So the truth that Pedro mentioned that he noticed the kid there when nobody else did instantly raises questions as to did this truly occur or not?

Hernandez advised investigators he tried to cover Etan’s e book bag within the retailer’s basement.

PEDRO HERNANDEZ [to ADA] So I took the e book bag and I threw it behind the freezer.

However Fishbein says the police would have searched that retailer and, in the event that they did, ought to have discovered the bag or another proof.

Harvey Fishbein: That bag was by no means recovered.

The protection additionally argued that Hernandez has a low IQ and is prone to solutions.

Harvey Fishbein: We — argued to the jury that … He is unreliable due to his low mind. …due to his psychiatric situation. And … ‘trigger the story ultimately doesn’t make sense.

However the prosecution consultants interviewed Hernandez and concluded he isn’t mentally in poor health, and that the jury might consider his phrases. 

Prosecutors had dwelling movies exhibiting Hernandez socializing like anybody else. And so they identified that Hernandez by no means reported any psychological sickness on a driver’s license renewal kind he crammed out.

Richard Schlesinger: Do you consider that he was competent to admit?

D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr.: Completely. …I feel there was ample proof that Pedro Hernandez was not – fabricating – this — murder because the product of psychological sickness, however that he in truth was — admitting to one thing that had tortured him … and he confessed.

However Fishbein needs the jury to surprise what occurred throughout these six hours earlier than the videotaping started.

INVESTIGATOR [to Hernandez]: Are you able to begin telling us once more precisely what you simply advised us earlier than, about what occurred?

Harvey Fishbein:  There was an affirmative resolution to not videotape what was happening. All it will’ve taken was the pushing of a button.

Richard Schlesinger: Why wasn’t that taped?

D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr.: I feel it was not taped, as a result of … there was no authorized requirement that or not it’s taped.

Richard Schlesinger: How have you learnt that they did not feed him data? How have you learnt they did not berate him?

D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr.: The best way you guarantee your self is by speaking to the witnesses who have been there. … after chatting with those that have been current and being knowledgeable of what occurred, I didn’t doubt that there was something however a good dealing with of Mr. Hernandez and acceptable questioning of him.

Richard Schlesinger: Did you give him any details about the crime once you have been speaking to Mr. Hernandez?

Det. Dave Ramirez: No.

Richard Schlesinger: Did you try to affect him?

Det. Dave Ramirez: I would not say. No.

Richard Schlesinger: This was all him simply speaking to you, volunteering these items?

Det. Dave Ramirez: Sure.

The protection argued police preyed on Hernandez’s vulnerability and manipulated him to admit.

Harvey Fishbein: Pedro is a really non secular individual … One of many detectives … says, “Thanks, Pedro.”

INVESTIGATOR [to Hernandez]: I can not start to inform you how proud I’m of you.

SECOND INVESTIGATOR [to Hernandez]: Proper there’s energy. That is the energy of the Lord.

Harvey Fishbein: “That is the energy of the Lord.” …What is the energy of the Lord? That he mentioned one thing that they mentioned they wanted in an effort to make folks really feel higher, the household to resolve it?

Richard Schlesinger: However the police would counter and the prosecutors would counter that this man confessed to so many individuals through the years that he corroborates his personal phrases.

Harvey Fishbein: Nicely, they– they wish to say that. I do not assume that is correct.

Richard Schlesinger: They do say that —

Harvey Fishbein: I do know — and I do not assume that is correct.

The prosecution referred to as these church members, Hernandez’s ex-wife, and his pal who all mentioned Hernandez advised them he did one thing dangerous to a younger boy. However on the time, they by no means reported something as a result of they did not know whether or not to consider him.

D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr.: If it was one assertion in isolation, that might be one factor. …There have been a lot of folks to whom he unburdened himself.

However Fishbein advised the jury these accounts diversified and Hernandez could have been making them as much as look robust. And he provided the jurors one other suspect; the person many, together with the Patz’s, first thought killed Etan: Jose Ramos, the recognized pedophile whose girlfriend knew Etan.

Harvey Fishbein:  I really feel sure that if the District Legal professional’s Workplace tried Jose Ramos, he could be convicted.

D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr.: The proof in opposition to Pedro Hernandez was a lot stronger than it had ever been in opposition to Jose Ramos.

The prosecutors had one piece of proof they thought-about vital. It was one thing Hernandez mentioned when he confirmed police the place he mentioned he dumped Etan’s physique. He seen there was a door the place he did not keep in mind one.

Det. Dave Ramirez:  And he says, “There wasn’t a door there.”

After they researched the constructing’s historical past, prosecutors found Hernandez was proper. The door was added after 1979.

D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr.: That is a incontrovertible fact that was not recognized publicly… that we believed solely the killer would know.

However the protection says Hernandez wasn’t even positive which constructing it was.  

DETECTIVE [to Hernandez]:  Which one? Are you able to keep in mind if it was this one?

Harvey Fishbein: He mentioned … “I assumed perhaps that is it.” After which he appears to be like and he says, “No. That is it.”

DETECTIVE: OK, that is the one, proper?

PEDRO HERNANDEZ:  Yeah, I feel so.

It was lots for the jurors to sift via. The trial took practically three months. And in April 2015, they started deliberating and deliberating … for 18 days.

THE TRIALS OF PEDRO HERNANDEZ

For 18 days, the jury thought-about Pedro Hernandez’s confession to the homicide of Etan Patz.

SECOND INVESTIGATOR:  Then what occurred after that?

PEDRO HERNANDEZ:  After which I choke him.

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PEDRO HERNANDEZ: Yeah, once I choked him, he went like this [hold hands to his throat, drops his arms to his sides and goes limp].

Adam Sirois was one of many jurors.

Adam Sirois | Juror: An enormous bone of competition was the psychological well being challenge. …We debated that for days.

Adam Sirois: The opposite challenge that was very sticky at first was the confession … Everybody felt very upset about not having the ability to see all the interview.

The jurors disagreed on whether or not the confession might have been coerced. Twice, they advised the choose they have been at an deadlock. And, the third time they reported they may not attain a verdict. On Could 8, 2015, the choose declared a mistrial.

Stan Patz [to reporters]:  Our lengthy ordeal is just not over.

Harvey Fishbein: After they mentioned they have been unable to achieve a choice, we believed it was going to be 11-to-1 for acquittal.

It was 11 to 1 — however not for acquittal. Just one juror voted not responsible; it was Adam Sirois.

SECOND INVESTIGATOR: Do you keep in mind the date?

PEDRO HERNANDEZ:  No.

PEDRO HERNANDEZ: No.  …the date was… the twenty fifth…

The juror discovered the confession laborious to consider, not realizing what went on earlier than the digital camera began rolling.

Richard Schlesinger: You already know, it’s extremely laborious for folks to wrap their minds round the concept any person would confess to murdering a baby — if he did not truly do it?

Adam Sirois: Yeah. … And a whole lot of the jurors mentioned that in — in our deliberations. …However the entire cause why you do not simply throw somebody in jail once they confess is that there is lots of people on the market with psychological sickness that might confess to plenty of crimes. And it doesn’t suggest they’re all responsible.

However remainder of the jurors believed Hernandez was responsible. Nonetheless, 11 out of 12 is just not sufficient to convict. And Stan Patz was clearly upset.

Stan Patz [to reporters after mistrial]: This man did it. He mentioned it. What number of instances does a person should confess earlier than somebody believes him?

D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr.:  Stan was — was unequivocal in his help that the case must be retried. And so we did.

A year-and-a-half later, Pedro Hernandez went on trial once more. The proof and the problems have been the identical as the primary trial. And, like the primary trial, it was lengthy — greater than three months. This trial additionally ended with an extended deliberation — 9 days.

Richard Schlesinger: Did it begin feeling like the primary time to you?

Harvey Fishbein | Protection legal professional: Nothing ever felt like that 18 days the primary time. However sure. It was paying homage to that and … we have been simply making an attempt to grasp what was happening. It is unimaginable to attempt to learn a jury.

However in contrast to the primary trial, this jury reached a verdict. Pedro Hernandez was convicted of killing Etan Patz 37 years after the first-grader left dwelling and vanished. 

Stan Patz [to reporters]: The Patz household has waited a very long time, however we’ve lastly discovered some measure of justice for our fantastic little boy Etan. …I’m actually relieved and I inform you, it’s about time. It truly is about time. 

Pedro Hernandez was sentenced to 25 years-to-life.

Richard Schlesinger: Why do you assume this case was so laborious to unravel? Why did it take so lengthy?

Lt. Chris Zimmerman: My opinion.  …I feel folks had nice intentions. … I feel folks acquired targeted on folks like Ramos. I am not criticizing anyone independently, ‘trigger it made a lotta sense. …He is an evil man. He is simply not our evil man.

It is a feeling now shared by others who as soon as have been satisfied Jose Ramos murdered Etan Patz earlier than police discovered Pedro Hernandez.

Brian O’Dwyer: If I have been on the jury, I’d have include the identical verdict.

Richard Schlesinger: Do you continue to consider Etan Patz?

Brian O’Dwyer: I do.      

Richard Schlesinger: What do you consider?

Brian O’Dwyer: It might have been my son.

That’s the thought that also haunts so many concerned on this case. Phil Mahony, lengthy retired from the NYPD, is now an legal professional and nonetheless thinks about Etan.

Phil Mahony | Former NYPD lieutenant: My youngsters are, like, 22, the youngest, and I nonetheless give it some thought once I’m — once they’re out of sight and out of thoughts.

Patrick Eanniello | Former NYPD detective: We have been kinda hopin’ that it will be like a film ending the place the — the boy would finally stroll within the door. …Nevertheless it did not work out that manner.

Richard Schlesinger [referring to Etan’s missing poster]: I’ve seen a few instances you have seemed down at this. Why do you – it nonetheless means one thing?

Lt. Chris Zimmerman: Yeah, that is, that is the poster we keep in mind probably the most, I’d say. That is — the youngsters lookin’ proper at me. … I really feel for the household. I am a father myself, and so is Dave.                           

Richard Schlesinger: Case is solved, however —

Lt. Chris Zimmerman: Solved however I by no means gave them full closure. I could not give ’em their son again. [Tears up, puts head down] …Would have liked to present them their son again.

Etan’s stays have by no means been discovered.

Editor’s observe: On July 21, 2025, a federal appeals courtroom dominated that Pedro Hernandez ought to have a brand new trial or be launched. The Manhattan DA’s workplace is reviewing the choice.