Syed would steadfastly maintain his innocence, even as he was incarcerated and facing the possibility of never being a free man again. However, true-crime podcasts became popular while Syed was incarcerated, and in 2014, the podcast “Serial” took a look at his case.
The podcast pointed out multiple problems in the prosecutors’ case against Syed, including the fact that a potential alibi never got the chance to testify; her testimony would have placed Syed at a local library instead of at the crime scene, according to The New York Times. Further still, Wilds’ testimony was inconsistent, and the accuracy of the phone records that supposedly placed Syed at the crime scene have been called into question. What’s more, The New York Times reported that there were two other suspects in the case that the prosecution knew about, yet they withheld that information from the defense during the original trial.
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On September 19, 2022, according to CNN, Maryland prosecutors vacated the conviction against the man convicted of killing Hae Min Lee. “Given the stunning lack of reliable evidence implicating Mr. Syed, coupled with increasing evidence pointing to other suspects, this unjust conviction cannot stand,” said Syed’s attorney, Erica Suter.
Syed is on house arrest and must wear an ankle monitor while prosecutors decide whether or not they want to try him again. As the Associated Press reports, judge Melissa Phinn gave the state 30 days to either set a new trial date or dismiss the case. “All right, Mr. Syed, you’re free to join your family,” Phinn said as she released Syed.
