New Plan To Honor 'Serial' Podcast Victim
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Serial is one of the world's most popular podcasts, documenting the murder of a Woodlawn High School student and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend.
In a new interview, a key witness in the trial says he fears for his safety.
Investigator Mike Hellgren has more on a new plan to honor the victim.
A new scholarship fund has raised more than $5,400. The case has mesmerized people around the globe. A crucial witness in the case is now saying some fans of the podcast are taking it too far.
Millions around the world have listened to Serial--an in-depth look at the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, an honor student at Woodlawn High School, whose boyfriend--the athletic and popular Adnan Syed--was convicted of killing her.
There was no physical evidence to connect him, and Syed's family believes he's innocent.
"It seems like yesterday. It's hard for me to think back that I once had a family. It was all taken away," said Yusuf Syed, brother.
"They handcuffed him. I say, 'Why are you taking him?' He say, 'You know that he murdered.' I said, 'Wait a minute,'" Syed's mother said.
The conviction hinged on one of Syed's friends, Jay Wilds, who testified Syed confessed to the crime and showed him the body.
In a new interview with "The Intercept," Wilds describes the day almost 15 years ago: "I saw Hae's body. She looked kind of purple, blue. Her legs were tucked behind her. She had stockings on, none of her clothes were removed, nothing like that. She didn't look beat up."
Wilds says he helped dig the hole to bury the body in Leakin Park. He said he was blackmailed and feared if he didn't help, Syed would go to the cops about his drug dealing.
In the new interview, he says he's gotten threats and people have come to his home.
"I'm trying to clear my name. I'm worried for the safety of my family," he said.
Wilds expressed surprise the story has blown up again so many years later.
Back in 1999, the victim's family shared their heartache with WJZ with one wish for the future: "I just want to see justice done. That's all," a family member said.
The people who started the podcast say they want to channel the popularity surrounding the case into something good. They hope to raise $25,000.
READ MORE: Podcast Changes Public Perception Of Murder Case
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