Pictured: Etan Patz suspect appears in court where his lawyer reveals he will plead not guilty because he made a 'false confession' The lawyer for the man charged with killing Etan Patz as he walked to school in May 1979 says his client will plead not guilty because he made a 'false confession'. Pedro Hernandez was in court for a brief proceeding today, where lawyer Harvey Fishbein said his client is 'fit to stand trial' while blasting prosecutors for going ahead with the case despite the lack of evidence. He said Hernandez's statements are 'not reliable' and he now believes he is innocent. His next court date was set for December 12, when he will enter a not guilty plea and aggressively fight the charges. He appeared in court in hand cuffs and gray sweats. His wife Rosemary and daughter Becky were there and smiled at him from the gallery. He is being held without bail. In court: Pedro Hernandez, left, told police he lured Etan Patz, right, into the bodega he worked in where he strangled him and dumped his body in the garbage Indicted: Pedro Hernandez appears in Manhattan criminal court with his attorney Harvey Fishbein today where he says his client will plead not guilty because he made a false confession Family: Rosemary Hernandez, center, the wife of Pedro Hernandez, who is charged with killing a New York City boy in 1979, leaves court with their daughter Becky, second from right, today According to the New York