Maryland’s highest courtroom has reinstated the homicide conviction of Adnan Syed, who was freed after spending greater than 20 years in jail preventing fees that he killed his ex-girlfriend.
The ruling marks yet one more twist within the case made well-known by the hit podcast Serial, because it now returns to a decrease courtroom for a brand new listening to.
Syed was cleared of all fees in 2022, after prosecutors stated he had been wrongfully convicted of strangling and killing his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee.
However in March 2023, an appeals courtroom reinstated his conviction after discovering that the decrease courtroom had failed to offer Younger Lee, Ms Lee’s brother, enough discover of the listening to that freed Syed.
In a 4-3 opinion, Maryland’s Supreme Court docket on Friday upheld this choice, saying the decrease courtroom decide had “labored an injustice” by not giving Younger Lee affordable discover of the listening to.
The ruling means the case might be despatched to a decrease courtroom for a brand new listening to on whether or not Syed’s homicide conviction must be thrown out. The courtroom didn’t order any modifications to his launch, which means he’ll stay free whereas his case is heard.
In a press release, Syed’s lawyer, Erica Suter, stated the courtroom had reached a call his authorized group “couldn’t disagree with extra”.
“The very best courtroom’s choice could also be ultimate however that doesn’t make its reasoning proper,” Ms Suter stated.
“Although this newest ruling is a roadblock in the best way of Adnan’s exoneration, we’ve religion that justice will prevail, and can work tirelessly to clear his title as soon as and for all,” she added.
Syed and Hae Min Lee had been classmates in highschool in Baltimore County, Maryland when Lee disappeared in January 1999. Her physique was present in a forest three weeks later.
Prosecutors on the time alleged Syed carried out the crime after changing into jealous of Lee’s new relationship after the 2 broke up.
Syed’s story turned identified to thousands and thousands by way of NPR’s Serial podcast in addition to an HBO docuseries, each of which solid doubts on the proof linking Syed to Lee’s dying.
The investigations have alleged prosecutors relied on inconsistent testimony from a classmate of Syed’s in addition to unreliable mobile phone tower knowledge to position him on the scene of the crime.
The Lee household has continued to argue that Syed is responsible and has opposed his launch.
Hae Min Lee’s brother, Younger Lee, stated in 2022 that he wished to journey from California to attend the listening to that freed Syed, however he couldn’t on quick discover.
Syed’s lawyer, Ms Suter, has argued Younger Lee’s rights weren’t violated as he was allowed to take part within the listening to through video.
“This isn’t a podcast for me. It’s actual life,” Younger Lee informed the courtroom in the course of the 2022 listening to.