Etan Patz Suspect’s Court Date Postponed

A court date for a man charged with murdering a New York City boy who vanished in 1979 is getting postponed for three months as authorities and his lawyer continue to investigate.

Pedro Hernandez had been due in court Monday for an update as doctors assessed whether he's mentally fit to stand trial in Etan Patz's death. But the Manhattan district attorney's office said Wednesday that Hernandez's appearance was put off to Oct. 1 so both sides can investigate "in a measured and fair manner."

His lawyer, Harvey Fishbein, had no immediate comment. Police say Hernandez confessed last month to killing the 6-year-old, one of the first missing children to appear on a milk carton.

Hernandez's lawyer and his wife's lawyer say Hernandez is mentally ill.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)