Serial's Adnan Syed just got good news from a Maryland appellate court
Today brings good news for Adnan Syed, subject of NPR's phenomenally popular podcast Serial, in the form of a promising decision from The Maryland Court Of Special Appeals: The court will remand his case to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, a decision that could open the door for new evidence.
Syed, who was convicted for murdering ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee in 1999, was granted an appeal in February on several legal grounds, one of which being that his lawyer failed to present evidence from potential alibi witness Asia McClain. Though McClain didn't testify in the original trial, she has since authored a new affidavit which accounts for Syed's whereabouts during the alleged time of Lee's murder.
Monday's decision gives the Circuit Court the opportunity to re-open Syed's post-conviction proceedings, which in turn could allow for the introduction of new evidence, like the affidavit. However, there's no guarantee the court will decide to do so.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ultimately, the proceedings could result in an entirely new trial for Syed.
The decision comes a week after the shocking third episode of the Undisclosed podcast, a pro-Syed spin-off, in which the creators provided evidence suggesting the main testimony against Syed was coached and possibly fabricated.
-
The best dark romance books to gingerly embrace right nowThe Week Recommends Steamy romances with a dark twist are gaining popularity with readers
-
The ocean is getting more acidic — and harming sharks’ teethUnder the Radar ‘There is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth,’ a study’s author said
-
6 exquisite homes for skiersFeature Featuring a Scandinavian-style retreat in Southern California and a Utah abode with a designated ski room
-
‘One Battle After Another’ wins Critics Choice honorsSpeed Read Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, won best picture at the 31st Critics Choice Awards
-
A peek inside Europe’s luxury new sleeper busThe Week Recommends Overnight service with stops across Switzerland and the Netherlands promises a comfortable no-fly adventure
-
Son arrested over killing of Rob and Michele ReinerSpeed Read Nick, the 32-year-old son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, has been booked for the murder of his parents
-
Rob Reiner, wife dead in ‘apparent homicide’speed read The Reiners, found in their Los Angeles home, ‘had injuries consistent with being stabbed’
-
Hungary’s Krasznahorkai wins Nobel for literatureSpeed Read László Krasznahorkai is the author of acclaimed novels like ‘The Melancholy of Resistance’ and ‘Satantango’
-
Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees
-
Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclubSpeed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
