Judge Delays Ruling On Reducing Adnan Syed's Life Sentence: Reports

BALTIMORE, MD — A judge on Wednesday delayed a ruling that could reduce Adnan Syed's life sentence in the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee, a case that drew national attention when it was featured on the hit podcast "Serial," according to reports.

Following hours of testimony, Circuit Judge Jennifer Schiffer said she would issue a written opinion on the motion and schedule another hearing if necessary, the Baltimore Banner reported.

It's unclear when the ruling will be released.

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; as teens they attended Woodlawn High School.

With his conviction temporarily vacated, Syed has been working at Georgetown University’s Prisons and Justice Initiative and caring for aging relatives. His father died in October.

But challenges from Lee’s family led to his conviction being reinstated by the Maryland Supreme Court for a procedural reason — so that the victim’s family could get proper notice of the hearing that freed him from prison.

On Tuesday, 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."

Wednesday's 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."

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.