'Serial' Podcast Raising New Doubts On Woodlawn High School Murder Case From 1999
WOODLAWN, Md. (WJZ)—One of the most popular podcasts in world is raising new questions about a Baltimore County murder case from 15 years ago.
Derek Valcourt explains the "Serial" podcast is casting some doubt on crime many have long consider solved.
Millions of people are listening to this weekly podcast, and now asking whether the convicted killer really did it.
In the serial podcast, there are no pictures or video--but every week millions of listeners hear more of the story behind the real life murder of popular and gifted 17-year-old Woodlawn High School student Hae Min Lee. And the subsequent murder conviction of her ex-boyfriend and fellow Woodlawn student Adnan Syed.
It's a murder WJZ covered extensively at the time--even speaking with the victim's family.
"I thought my sister and him were having a good time together, but I guess I was wrong," said Young Lee, victim's brother.
The couple met at Woodlawn high, dated and then broke up.
Months later her body was found buried in a shallow grave in the woods at Leakin Park.
A classmate pointed the finger at Syed and police arrested the 17-year-old at his home.
He was convicted without any physical evidence, and given life in prison.
For 15 years, Syed has insisted he didn't do it.
"We're just so thankful that the story is out there," said Yusef Syed.
His brother and mother are now speaking to CBS News in their first ever TV interview.
Every week they listen to the podcast, a sort of audio documentary. Like the general audience, they never know what's in the episode before it airs.
"It's different. Some days I'll be like 'oh this is a really great episode,' and some days I'll feel so down and depressed," said Yusef Syed.
The serial podcast is the brainchild of former Baltimore Sun journalist Sara Koenig.
She often expresses her confusion as her investigation uncovers new information.
But Syed's family cautions the story isn't for entertainment.
"These are real people, they're real victims, there's a real girl who died," Yusef Syed said.
The serial podcast is already making a difference.
The non-profit group The Innocence Project--devoted to helping reverse the conviction of those who were wrongly accused—has now taken up Syed's case, and he's now pushing for an appeal.
There are still several more episodes set to be released. To hear all of the episodes for yourself, click here.
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