Adnan Syed was convicted in the murder of Hae Min Lee over a decade ago. But now, because of new evidence--some brought to light largely from podcasts like "Serial" and "Undisclosed"-- he's getting a second chance.
Thursday, a judge vacated Syed's conviction based on the defense's decision not to cross examine a state witness about the reliability of cell phone tower evidence.
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With news Syed getting a new trial spreading, people on both sides of the case are reacting.
Yusuf Syed, Adnan’s brother, said he was “still in shock” and “feeling very happy and hopeful” about the new trial.
Complete coverage of Adnan Syed's case
Saad Chaudrey, a childhood friend of Syed’s, said that things have been “an emotional rollercoaster” since learning that Syed would get a new trial.
“[I] took a second to appreciate what just happened and kind of was like, ‘this is the universe kind of correcting a wrong,’” Chaudrey said.
WE WON A NEW TRIAL FOR ADNAN SYED!!! #FreeAdnan
— Justin Brown (@CJBrownLaw) June 30, 2016
Meanwhile, the family of Hae Min Lee, the ex-girlfriend Syed was convicted of killing, spoke out in a statement released through the office of the Attorney General, asking for privacy and expressing thanks for the people who support them.
“We do not speak as often or as loudly as those who support Adnan Syed, but we care just as much about this case,” the statement said. “We continue to grieve. We continue to believe justice was done when Mr. Syed was convicted of killing Hae.”
Emily Condon, a production manager for “Serial,” said in an email that the judge’s decision to grant a new trial is “an incredible turn of events.”
“We don’t have much more to say than that right now,” her email said. “We spent last night and today reading and talking through Judge Welsh’s opinion, to try to understand exactly what it means.”
Chaudrey said that his thoughts and prayers are with Hae’s family.
“I hope they understand that we 100% feel that the wrong person was incarcerated for this crime and we feel that the killer of Hae is still on the loose,” he said. “Hopefully this will be justice for her as well.”
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