Adnan Syed’s murder conviction has been reinstated by Maryland’s highest court, following his release in 2022 after over two decades in prison.
In March 2023, an appeals court declared that a lower court had failed to provide Young Lee, the brother of the victim Hae Min Lee, sufficient notice about the hearing that ultimately led to Syed’s release. Syed had been convicted of the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, a case that gained widespread attention through the podcast Serial.
On Friday, the Maryland Supreme Court issued a 4-3 ruling upholding the decision, stating that the lower court judge had committed “an injustice” by lacking in notifying Young Lee properly. The case is now set to return to a lower court for a new hearing regarding whether Syed’s conviction should be dismissed. During this process, Syed will remain free, as no changes to his release conditions were mandated.
Erica Suter, Syed’s attorney, expressed strong disagreement with the court’s ruling, stating that while it may be final, it does not reflect the truth of the situation. Suter emphasized their belief in Syed’s innocence and their commitment to clearing his name.
In January 1999, Hae Min Lee, a high school classmate of Syed in Baltimore County, disappeared, and her body was discovered weeks later in a forest. Prosecutors claimed that Syed committed the murder out of jealousy over Lee’s new relationship following their breakup.
The investigation surrounding the case has raised significant doubts about the evidence, including inconsistent witness testimony and questionable cell phone records that purportedly placed Syed at the crime scene. The Lee family has consistently maintained that Syed is guilty and has opposed his release.
Young Lee expressed his frustration in 2022 after he was unable to attend the hearing that resulted in Syed’s freedom due to short notice, although it was noted that he could participate via video. He reminded the court that this situation is not merely a story in a podcast but a matter of real life.