Adnan Syed, Subject Of Hit ‘Serial’ Podcast, Has Conviction Reinstated By Maryland Appeals Court

Adnan Syed, who had been released from prison in October after serving over 20 years for the murder of his high school girlfriend, has had his conviction reinstated by a Maryland appellate court panel. The court ruled that a lower court had violated the victim’s family’s right to attend a critical hearing about vacating Syed’s conviction. Young Lee, the victim’s brother, had argued that he and his family were not properly notified of the hearing that led to Syed’s release. The Lee family asked an appellate court to reinstate Syed’s murder conviction, which the court granted.

Baltimore City Circuit Judge Melissa Phinn had overturned Syed’s murder conviction last September after the popular “Serial” podcast raised doubts about his guilt. However, Syed’s attorney argued that he may not have spent 23 years in prison if prosecutors hadn’t withheld evidence. Prosecutors revealed there were other suspects, as well as concerns about the evidence used against him. A year-long investigation involving prosecutors and Syed’s attorney discovered that authorities knew of at least one alternate suspect prior to Syed’s trial but withheld the information from his defense.

Despite the reinstatement of his conviction, Syed has always maintained his innocence. Syed and his family hope that the court also recognizes their suffering. The appellate court panel ruled that its decision would not go into effect for 60 days to allow both parties to assess how to proceed in response to this court’s decision.

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