The Maryland Supreme Court reinstated Adnan Syed’s murder conviction on Friday, ruling that the 2022 hearing leading to his release violated the rights of the alleged victim’s family.
According to Fox News Digital, the 4-3 decision happened after the court reviewed the case in October, which gained fame through the 2014 “Serial” podcast.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Syed was convicted in 2000 for the murder of his high school ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, who was found strangled in a shallow grave. He was originally sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years.
In September 2022, Baltimore Circuit Judge Melissa Phinn vacated Syed’s 2000 conviction after prosecutors and Syed’s attorneys revealed other possible suspects in Lee’s strangling death. Prosecutors also noted that he was convicted partly due to cellphone data, which was later found unreliable.
Now, a panel of seven judges determined that Lee’s family should have been allowed to participate in the 2022 hearing, as the victim’s brother, Young Lee, was not given adequate notice and was consequently denied treatment with “dignity, respect, and sensitivity.”
“In an effort to remedy what they perceived to be an injustice to Mr. Syed, the prosecutor and the circuit court worked an injustice against Mr. Lee,” the judges wrote.
The panel stated that Syed would stay free while the case is moved to a different lower court judge, who will reexamine whether his conviction should be overturned.
The Lee family must be properly notified of the upcoming hearing to ensure that Young Lee has a reasonable chance to attend in person and express his views if he wishes.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Adnan Syed, center, leaves the Elijah E. Cummings Courthouse, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Baltimore. A judge has ordered the release of Syed after overturning his conviction for a 1999 murder that was chronicled in the hit podcast “Serial.” (AP Photo/Brian Witte)]
