A Maryland judge overturned Adnan Syed’s murder conviction in the latest twist in the case at the center of the hit podcast series Serial. Baltimore City Circuit Judge Melissa Phinn vacated the 41-year-old’s conviction and granted him a new trial Monday, ordering his release after more than 23 years behind bars. Minutes later, Said left the courthouse to cheers and applause from the crowd outside. The overturning of his conviction came days after prosecutors filed a request for his release, saying “the state no longer has confidence in the integrity of the conviction.” Prosecutors said a nearly year-long investigation cast doubt on the validity of cell tower data and revealed new information about the possible involvement of two unnamed alternate suspects. Syed was convicted in 2000 of first-degree murder, robbery, kidnapping and imprisoning his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. Lee, 18, disappeared after leaving high school on January 13, 1999. Her strangled body was found in a shallow grave in a Baltimore park about a month later. Syed has always maintained his innocence.

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Celebrities react to Adnan Syed’s release

Celebrities who were fans of the Serial podcast or had other ties to the case reacted to the bombshell news of Adnan Syed’s release on Twitter. “The case was overturned!!! Adnan Syed is once again found innocent in the eyes of the law,” wrote Pretty in Pink actor Jon Cryer. The Independent’s Amanda Whiting has the full story:

Celebrities react to serial podcast about Adnan Syed’s release from prison

Syed’s case was popularized on journalist Sarah Koenig’s podcast in 2014 Rachel Sharp20 September 2022 00:45 1663629317

Voices: Adnan Syed’s conviction should have been thrown out a long time ago

Twenty-two years ago, Adnan Syed was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. Lee, a student in Baltimore County, Maryland, was 18 when she went missing in January 1999. She was found dead by manual strangulation in February of that year. Syed, who was 17 at the time of Lee’s death, was charged with her murder later that month. he was convicted a year later and sentenced to life in prison. Syed’s case came to the fore again in 2014, with the release of Serial, the podcast that changed the face of true crime programming and cast doubt on the stability of Syed’s conviction. Over the course of 12 episodes, journalist Sarah Koenig, the show’s host, pointed out weaknesses in the evidence used against Said, as well as remaining idiosyncrasies and murky areas. If there’s a central theme in Serial’s first season (the show had two others, devoted to other themes), it’s doubt—a crucial factor, given that the US justice system dictates that someone should only be convicted of a criminal offense if criticism committee believes they are guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt”. The Independent’s Clémence Michallon discusses the case:

Adnan Syed’s conviction should have been thrown out a long time ago

That was the only possible conclusion in 2014, and it remains the only possible conclusion now, eight years later Rachel Sharp20 September 2022 00:15 1663627517

Watch: Adnan Syed walks out of court

Adnan Syed walked out of court in Baltimore to cheers after a judge overturned his 2000 murder conviction. Watch the moment he walked free from the courthouse below: Adnan Syed leaves court after judge asks to overturn 2000 murder conviction Rachel Sharp September 19, 2022 11:45 p.m 1663626017

The serial podcast announces a new episode about the case

The serial podcast, which first brought Adnan Syed’s conviction to the fore, announced that a new episode on the case will be released on Tuesday. The podcast, created by journalist Sarah Koenig and released in 2014, told the story of Hae Min Lee’s murder and Syed’s conviction, casting doubt on his guilt or – at least – the prosecution’s case. Ms Koenig was seen outside court after the judge’s ruling. “Sarah was in court when Adnan was released, new episode coming tomorrow morning,” the official Twitter account for the podcast posted minutes after the judge handed down her decision. Rachel Sharp 19 September 2022 23:20 1663624517

The prosecutor says investigators are waiting for new DNA tests

At a press conference outside the courthouse immediately after the verdict, Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby said the state is awaiting the results of DNA tests that they hope could advance the investigation. Ms. Mosby said that if the tests come back with Adnan Said’s DNA, then her office will open a new case against him. But either way, he’s still entitled to a new, fair trial, he said — after pointing out several issues with his original case. Under state law, prosecutors now have 30 days to decide whether to drop the charges against Syed or retry the case. In March, prosecutors and Syed’s defense attorneys filed a joint request to test Lee’s clothing using a new DNA touch test, which was not available at the original trial. Rachel Sharp September 19, 2022 10:55 p.m 1663623317

IMAGE: Adnan Syed is seen leaving the courthouse

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Rachel Sharp September 19, 2022 10:35 p.m 1663622117

Adnan Syed “can’t believe it’s real,” says lawyer

Adnan Syed’s lawyer has revealed some of his first words after a judge overturned his murder conviction. “She said she can’t believe it’s real,” attorney Erica Suter told reporters outside court. “He’s looking forward to being with his family,” she added. Ms. Suter spoke to the media minutes after Syed walked out of court a free man. Rachel Sharp September 19, 2022 10:15 p.m 1663621217

“Justice over condemnation,” says the prosecutor

In a news conference on the courthouse steps, Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby vowed that her office would always seek “justice over conviction.” Ms Mosby said she called for Adnan Syed to be granted a new trial “in the interests of justice and fairness”. “We are not yet declaring Adnan Syed innocent, but we are declaring, in the interests of justice and fairness, that he is entitled to a new trial,” he said. The prosecutor pointed to failures in the original trial, including the failure to disclose relevant information about two other potential suspects. He said that Hae Min Lee’s family also “deserves justice.” “Ms. Lee’s family deserves closure, they deserve justice, and we intend to fight for that,” he said. Rachel Sharp September 19, 2022 10:00 p.m 1663620455

Adnan Syed receives cheers as he leaves court

Adnan Syed was greeted with cheers as he left the courthouse after his conviction was overturned. The 41-year-old was spotted walking down the steps less than an hour after the judge handed down the verdict. He made no comment and got into a waiting vehicle. He is now expected to be fitted with a GPS tracker as he is released on home detention. Rachel Sharp 19 September 2022 21:47 1663619226

Show’s Adnan Syed to be freed from prison as judge overturns 2000 murder conviction

Adnan Syed is set to be released from prison after a Baltimore judge overturned his conviction for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. Baltimore City Circuit Judge Melissa Phinn vacated the 41-year-old’s conviction “in the interest of justice” on Monday and granted him a new trial, marking the latest dramatic twist in a case that has drawn worldwide attention. Said’s shackles were removed and the judge ordered Said to be released on house arrest while the investigation into Lee’s 1999 murder continues. Under state law, prosecutors now have 30 days to decide whether to drop the charges against Syed or retry the case. The decision comes days after prosecutors in Maryland filed a bombshell request for his release, saying “the state no longer has confidence in the integrity of the conviction.” The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Adnan Syed to be freed from prison as judge overturns 2000 murder conviction

Syed has spent the past two decades behind bars for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee Rachel Sharp 19 September 2022 21:27