The case of Adnan Masud Syed was brought to life because of the Serial podcast that later on became mind-blogging to almost everyone who has heard about it.
Adnan Masud Syed was accused and convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee which took place in the year 1999 at Baltimore County, Maryland. Both of them were still in high school at that time.
He has been living his life in prison after being sentenced for more than 30 years of life imprisonment. After the release of the 12 episodes long Serial podcast in 2014, it came to the attention of many people around the world.
A new perspective focusing on Adnan Syed was brought up that led to many questions asked on whether or not he is being wrongly accused or if he really was worthy of the conviction.
If he had a reliable and diligent attorney will this have changed on the way things turned out for Adnan?
People believed that justice hadn’t been served for many attempts were made in order for Syed to be released from prison. But the question is, where is he now?
Where abouts of Adnan Syed
Sadly, the podcast and documentaries about his controversial case didn’t change his fate. Yes, Adnan Syed is still in prison. Reports said that he is being held in a high tech prison with maximum security.
This is under the administration and supervision by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. It is located at 1400 McMullen Highway. But hope is still lingering on his side.
The Court Trials
In the year 2016, which felt like many years since his conviction but the first in nearly 20 years, he had a chance of a retrial for one Baltimore judge vacated his conviction.
One of the evidence used in a trial which was the cell phone location was deemed unreliable by Judge Martin Welch.
The Serial podcast played a huge role in this chance for retrial. It was only through this kind of journalism that new evidence and as well as errors during the investigation were found.
On the 29th day of March 2018, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals which is Maryland’s second-highest court in that state ruled that Syed should be given a new trial on all charges.
The three-judge panel brought up the ineffective and inadequate legal counsel of Syed during those tough times.
Cristina Gutierrez, Syed’s attorney didn’t even question a witness who was vital in proving that Syed was in the library and even had a lengthy conversation with him during the same time that Lee was killed.
But the following year, the highest court, Maryland Court of Appeals reversed the two lower courts appellate ruling.
Denying the new court trial. Despite believing the deficient trial counsel, they did not see any prejudice. Having a 3 to 4 decision, putting Syed still locked up behind bars.
This leads to Syed’s defense team in passing the case to the Supreme Court. Unfortunately was also denied. Giving no proper or detailed explanations as to such refusal.
How Syed and his Defense Team has Been Coping With
Adnan Syed’s defense attorney, Justin Brown showed his deep disappointment against the Supreme Court but is still hopeful to bring justice to his client who was and is still wrongly accused.
He is looking for all the possible legal ways for Syed to finally see the light and live his remaining days outside of prison and be with his family.
He had just turned 40 and had spent almost 2 decades of his life in prison. He was still a juvenile during his conviction and wasn’t even given an opportunity for parole.
His attorney said that this could be used to file a federal habeas corpus petition stating the violation of federal laws by the Court of Appeals.
Last year has been a long and frustrating year for Adnan Syed and his family. Despite being in prison, he is making the best of his time and has never forgotten to keep a close relationship with his family even if he is not physically with them.
Amidst all of these challenges, his faith is still as strong as ever in the hopes that his conviction will be revoked.
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