In 2014, three years ago, This American Life released a beautifully narrated podcast known as 'Serial' that walked it's listeners through the murder investigation of Woodlawn High School's Hae Min Lee. On February 28th in the year 2000, Hae Min Lee's ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was convicted of her murder and was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years. Many people became obsessed with the case (myself included).
People all over were reading every piece of material about the case that they could get their hands on. Some people even visited Leakin Park in Baltimore, Maryland where Hae Min Lee's body was found on February 9th, 2000. In the podcast, host Sarah Koenig reviews evidence, court documents and even interviews Adnan Syed leaving listeners to form their own opinion of whether Adnan Syed is innocent or guilty. Since 'Serial' much has happened concerning Adnan Syed's case.
Rabia Chaudry, an attorney and extremely close friend of Adnan Syed, released her own podcast titled 'Undisclosed' narrated by herself and two other attorneys. In this podcast, the attorneys presented all available evidence including new evidence that was discovered after 'Serial'. Rabia Chaudry has been a huge advocate for Adnan Syed throughout this whole extremely upsetting process. Her book 'Adnan's Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial' exposes how the court wrongfully convicted Adnan and how 'Serial' didn't disclose the entire story.
Adnan Syed's first trial ended in a mistrial. However, during his second trial, Adnan Syed was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison plus thirty years. Since his conviction, Syed has received a new attorney, Justin Brown, who has made monumental moves concerning Adnan Syed's possible freedom. You can find an easy-to-follow timeline of court appeals, hearings and post conferences concerning the case on Justin Brown's blog.
You may be wondering, why is this relevant? Why am I discussing this murder that occurred in 1999? I am discussing this case because I believe Adnan Syed is innocent and in a couple weeks on June 1st, Adnan Syed's oral arguments for the trial will take place at the Court of Special Appeals. Justin Brown tweeted
Rabia Chaudry plans to release an 'Undisclosed' episode covering the oral arguments and what it means for Adnan Syed.
Hae Min Lee deserves justice and that is impossible if her killer is walking the streets. Justin Brown is working extremely hard to explore every possible outlet that could end in Adnan Syed's freedom and hopefully a conviction of the true killer.
I couldn't possibly explain all of the court hearings and progress that has been made since Syed's conviction, but I highly recommend you investigate for yourself. Listen to the 'Serial' and Undisclosed' podcasts. Read Rabia Chaudry's book 'Adnan's Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial'. Follow Rabia Chaudry, Justin Brown and Undisclosed on Twitter. Read Justin Brown's blog. If you are looking for something to entertain you this summer, this would be a wonderful thing to dive into. I don't use the word 'entertain' in a negative manner. This is an extremely sensitive situation. A man was wrongfully convicted and has been fighting for a life of freedom since he was only 17 years old. Things such as 'Making a Murderer' and 'Serial' has proven to us that there are flaws in our Justice system.
I encourage you to investigate this murder for yourself and fight for what is right.
"No one ever has been able to provide any shred of evidence that I had anything but friendship toward her, like love and respect for her. That's at the end of the day, man. The only thing I can ever say is, man, I had no reason to kill her."
-Adnan Syed about Hae Min Lee
