Adnan Syed To Remain Free For Murder Sentence In 'Serial' Case

BALTIMORE, MD — A judge on Thursday ruled that Adnan Syed will remain free from jail, though his murder conviction in the 1999 killing of Hae Minn Lee still stands, according to an Associated Press report.

Judge Jennifer Schiffer agreed to reduce Syed’s sentence to time served under a relatively new state law that provides a pathway to release for people convicted of crimes committed when they were minors.

“This sentence will be followed by a period of five years of supervised probation,” Judge Jennifer Schiffer wrote in her decision, adding that Syed “is not a danger to the public” and that the interests of justice will be better served by a reduced sentence.

Syed, now 43, was released from serving a life sentence in 2022 after Baltimore prosecutors uncovered problems with the case and asked a judge to overturn his murder conviction in Lee's slaying. Syed's ex-girlfriend was found strangled to death and buried in a makeshift grave.

At a hearing last week, testimony included character witnesses who described Syed as having an even temper, strong communication skills, loving relationships and an impressive ability to remain hopeful during 23 years behind bars.

But Lee's family and their attorney urged the judge to honor Syed’s conviction and uphold his sentence. They said the recent proceedings — starting in 2022 when they were shocked to learn of Syed’s abrupt release — have ripped open old wounds.

Following testimony, Schiffer said Lee’s family has suffered from Syed’s “lengthy and frankly tortured" legal case, the Baltimore Sun reported.

"He has changed, he has matured, and he has had some success," Schiffer said. But Lee, who was killed at 18 years old, "never had that chance."

Before the hearing, Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced he was no longer pursuing a motion to throw out Syed's conviction. That means his conviction will stand; however, Bates also noted his continued support for reducing Syed's sentence to time served.

In a statement, Bates said the motion filed by the previous administration of State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby contained “false and misleading statements that undermine the integrity of the judicial process.”

"As prosecutors, our duty is to seek justice and ensure that all legal proceedings are conducted transparently, accurately and fairly," Bates said. "I did not make this decision lightly, but it is necessary to preserve the credibility of our office and maintain public trust in the justice system."

Syed has maintained his innocence from the beginning, but many questions remain unanswered even after the “Serial” podcast combed through the evidence, reexamined legal arguments and interviewed witnesses. The series debuted in 2014 and drew millions of listeners who became armchair detectives.

Rife with legal twists and turns, the case has recently pitted criminal justice reform efforts against the rights of crime victims and their families, whose voices are often at odds with a growing movement to acknowledge and correct systemic racism, police misconduct and prosecutorial missteps.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.