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Adnan Syed’s Conviction Has Been Reinstated

Adnan Syed’s Conviction Has Been Reinstated

Adnan Syed, the subject of OG true crime podcast Serial, has had his conviction for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, reinstated by a Maryland appeals court.

Lee’s family has claimed they were given very little notice of last year’s hearing to overturn his conviction. Lee’s brother Young said he was given only one day’s notice to prepare, which the court agreed was insufficient.

So now, the appellate panel has reinstated Syed’s conviction, staying the decision for 60 days to allow both prosecution and defense time to adjust to the reinstated verdict.

The new ruling is procedural and likely won’t affect the ultimate outcome of Syed’s case, but it does highlight the importance of victims’ rights. The victim’s family claim they were given almost no time to prepare for the hearing, which could have been avoided with better communication and preparation.

Last October, Syed had all charges dropped against him. A new investigation into Lee’s death brought new suspects and evidence, which led to Syed’s case being overturned.

“We remain optimistic that justice will be done,” said Assistant Public Defender Erica Suter, Syed’s attorney and director of the Innocence Project Clinic. “We intend to seek review in Maryland’s highest court, the Supreme Court of Maryland, and will continue to fight until Adnan’s convictions are fully vacated.”

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