Former Patz Killing Suspect Fights Court Order

NEW JERSEY 101.5

A sex offender jailed in northeastern Pennsylvania is fighting an order to appear at a trial involving the 1979 disappearance of a New York City boy.

The Citizens' Voice reports that the attorney for Jose Ramos filed court papers Monday indicating he would appeal the ruling.

A county judge last month ordered Ramos to appear at the trial of the suspect in the boy's death, Pedro Hernandez.

Police say Hernandez admitted killing the boy, Etan Patz. However, Hernandez's lawyer contends the confession is false. His trial is set for April in New York.

Ramos was once a suspect, but he was never charged and denies involvement. Still, a civil court held Ramos responsible for Patz's death.

Ramos is jailed on unrelated charges.

Patz's disappearance helped mobilize a nationwide missing-children movement.

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