NEW YORK (AP) — A prosecution psychologist says the suspect in a notorious 1979 child disappearance understood his right to stay silent before he decided to confess to killing the New York City boy.
Psychologist Michael Sweda (SWEE’-dah) testified Monday. He contrasted a defense psychologist’s view of a question under scrutiny in the case against Pedro Hernandez.
A judge is holding a weekslong hearing to determine whether Hernandez was properly advised of his rights and was mentally capable of waiving them.
The Maple Shade, New Jersey, man has pleaded not guilty to murdering Etan Patz (AY’-tahn PAYTS). The 6-year-old vanished on his way to a school bus stop. He became one of the first missing children ever pictured on a milk carton.
Hernandez became a suspect when police got a tip in 2012.
