New Development For Star Of 'Serial': Evidence From Murder Victim To Be Tested

BALTIMORE, MD — Prosecutors in Baltimore reportedly asked for the DNA to be tested in the murder case involving Adnan Syed. His case was featured on the popular podcast "Serial" in 2014, which called some elements of his trial into question.

Now 41 years old, Syed is serving a life sentence for the murder of his ex-girlfriend while they were students at Woodlawn High School.

Syed was found guilty in a 2000 trial of killing Hae Min Lee, who died by strangulation on Jan. 13, 1999. Her body was found in Leakin Park after she was reported missing.

The podcast "Serial" brought to light unreliable cellphone data and an alibi witness never called to the stand in the trial.

Prosecutors ordered the Baltimore City Crime Lab to conduct DNA testing of Lee's clothes and hair found around the crime scene, the Baltimore Sun reported Thursday. The testing was reportedly not available when the case first went to trial.

Because he was a juvenile and since he has spent more than 20 years in prison, prosecutors told WBAL that Syed is a candidate for having his sentence reviewed under the Juvenile Restoration Act, which took effect in October 2021. While reviewing his case, prosecutors determined there was potential to conduct more forensic testing.

News of the DNA testing is the latest development for Syed, who has been working for years to have his case given another look.

Syed filed for his case to be reviewed in 2015, and Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Martin P. Welch vacated the murder conviction in 2016.

However, Welch denied Syed's request to be released on bail, saying that among other factors, he believed he would be a flight risk since he faced a life sentence if retried.

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ordered a new trial in March 2018 based on the violation of Syed's Sixth Amendment right, specifically the part guaranteeing "the assistance of counsel" for his defense.

To be in violation, the court had to determine two requirements were met: The attorney made errors that deemed the counsel deficient, and the attorney prejudiced the defense.

Syed's attorney failed to speak with Asia McClain, a classmate whose testimony could have exonerated him, the court said. McClain swore in March 2000 and January 2015 affidavits that she had seen Syed at the Woodlawn library from approximately 2:20 to 2:40 p.m. on Jan. 13, 1999.

At trial, where McClain was never called as a witness, prosecutors said Lee's murder took place between 2:15 and 2:45 p.m. near Best Buy off Security Boulevard, about 1.5 miles from the library.

In March 2019, the Maryland Court of Appeals voted not to reopen the case, 4-3. Several judges said they believed that the testimony of McLain, the alibi witness, would not have changed the outcome of the trial, and one said it may have been harmful to Syed.

See Also:

• 'The Case Against Adnan Syed': HBO Releases Documentary Trailer
• 'Serial' Star Adnan Syed Petitions Supreme Court To Take His Case
• 'Serial' Star Adnan Syed Has Case Rejected By U.S. Supreme Court
• Judge Sets Aside Conviction Of Adnan Syed, Subject Of 'Serial' Podcast
• Witness Takes Stand in 'Serial' Murder Case
• Bail Denied to 'Serial' Star Adnan Syed