Adnan Syed, Hae Min Lee's family to plead cases on Thursday to Maryland's highest court
BALTIMORE -- Oral arguments are set for Thursday at Maryland's Supreme Court to potentially determine Adnan Syed's freedom.
Syed, whose murder conviction in the 1999 death of his ex-girlfriend and Woodlawn High classmate Hae Min Lee was chronicled in the "Serial" podcast, spent more than 20 years in prison before he was set free in September 2022.
More than a year ago, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office moved to vacate his conviction, citing new DNA evidence, which was granted by a Baltimore City judge.
Lee's family argued their rights were violated on the basis they were not given appropriate notice to attend the proceedings in person.
The family's attorney argued for Syed to show evidence in court.
"If (Adnan Syed) was wrongfully convicted, then, yes, I agree, he is a victim of wrongful conviction," said Steven Kelly, who represents the Lee family. "But, that hasn't been established."
Lee's family took the case to the Appellate Court of Maryland, which reinstated Syed's conviction.
Maryland's highest court will take the case at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Murphy Courts of Appeal Building in Annapolis to determine whether to potentially send Syed back to prison, or, throw out his conviction.
"Our rights were violated. We're asking that you please investigate it," Syed said on September 19.
Syed gathered reporters at his parents' house last month to call for an investigation into the prosecutors in his case.
He remains free during the appeals and says he worries about his parents if he were to return to prison.
"Every single night, people call her and they tell her they're so happy I'm home, but she knows in her heart that, at any moment, I could be taken away again," Syed said.
And before Syed goes in front of Maryland's highest court, streaming at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS News Baltimore, "Journey to Justice: The Adnan Syed Story."
WJZ investigator Mike Hellgren has a 30-minute special featuring in-depth reporting, a look into the WJZ archives, and a complete history of this high-profile case.
Previous coverage
- Maryland's highest court to hear appeals in case chronicled by 'Serial' podcast
- Adnan Syed's alibi witness Asia McClain Chapman backs probe into prosecutor misconduct
- Adnan Syed demands investigation into prosecutorial misconduct in 1999 murder conviction
- 'Serial' podcast's Adnan Syed asks appeals court to deny request from victim's family
- Maryland Attorney General agrees on review of petitions by Adnan Syed and family of Hae Min Lee
- Family of Hae Min Lee appeals to Maryland Supreme Court in Adnan Syed case
- Adnan Syed asks Maryland Supreme Court to hear appeal on reinstatement of conviction
- 'Serial' podcast's Adnan Syed's murder conviction, sentence reinstated by Maryland court
