The Manhattan District Attorney's Office said Tuesday it is preparing to retry Pedro Hernandez for the kidnapping and murder of Etan Patz.

Patz was just 6 when he vanished on his way to school in SoHo in 1979 -- the first time he ever walked there alone. He became one of the first missing children to be pictured on milk cartons.

Defense objects to third trial, but vows to be ready

In 2017, Hernandez was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after two trials. In July, a federal appeals court overturned that conviction, ruling the trial judge had wrongly instructed the jury. The appeals court ordered that Hernandez face a new trial "within a reasonable period" or be released.

On Tuesday, the DA's office sent a letter to the judge which reads, in part: "After thorough review

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