Crime

'Serial' Subject Adnan Syed Has A 'Last-Ditch' Shot At A New Trial

Adnan Syed, subject of "Serial's" first season, is in court seeking post-conviction relief. He claims his lawyer was ineffective during the trial.

'Serial' Subject Adnan Syed Has A 'Last-Ditch' Shot At A New Trial
WMAR
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"Serial," the podcast that captured the nation’s attention in 2014, has turned its focus back to Adnan Syed and what could be his last chance to get a new trial. (Video via WMAR)

For those of you not familiar with the case, Syed was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee in 1999. "Serial’s" first season examined the evidence and court proceedings and cast a lot of public doubt on Syed's guilt.

The podcast is in its second season, focusing on Bowe Bergdahl, the soldier who was a Taliban prisoner for five years. But with the update to Syed's trial, "Serial" host Sarah Koenig headed back to Baltimore to keep listeners informed.

Syed is once again in court for what Koenig called a “last-ditch effort” for a retrial.  

He’s seeking post-conviction relief, alleging his now-deceased lawyer didn’t contact a key witness who supported his alibi at the time prosecutors said Lee was murdered.

Asia McClain, Syed’s high school friend, testified Tuesday she did see him during the time he was supposedly committing the murder and disposing of the body in a park.

If Syed’s request for relief is granted, he could end up with a new trial, which he might have a better chance of winning. 

His counsel said Syed’s former lawyer was in failing health and unable to properly work the case. His new alibi witness in McClain would also bolster Syed's odds.

Koenig updated listeners on the story in a 15-minute mini-episode and said she plans to update the story day by day as the hearing continues.

This video includes images from Getty Images.