Published 3:59 PM EDT Mar 29, 2018
A Maryland appeals court on Thursday upheld a ruling that would grant a new trial to a man convicted of murder after his case became the subject of the popular podcast 'Serial.'
Adnan Syed's conviction was tossed in 2016 after the podcast led to doubts about his guilt. He was granted a new trial, but prosecutors appealed that ruling. They were denied Thursday in a 138-page ruling from Maryland's second-highest court.
Mar 29, 2018 - A Maryland appeals court on Thursday upheld a ruling that would grant a new trial to a man convicted of murder after his case became the. 37 rows Serial is a podcast from the creators of This American Life, hosted by Sarah Koenig.
Syed's attorneys said the move was a step forward in what has been a really long journey.
'We are thrilled,' attorney Justin Brown said at a news conference in Baltimore. 'It's been a really long wait and it's been hard and it's been stressful. He's now been in prison for 19 years.'
Prosecutors could still appeal Thursday's ruling and take the case to the Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh has argued there is no relevant new evidence to grant a new trial.
Brown said he's hoping there won't be another appeal and instead will bring Syed's case to a new jury. He said he spoke with Syed when the decision was released.
'He asked me to convey his deep gratitude and thanks from the bottom of his heart for all those people who have supported him,' Brown said. 'We’ve been fighting for so long and it just feels great to get over another hurdle.'
Prosecutors say Syed was a teenager when he killed ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee and buried her body in a Baltimore park in 1999.
He was sentenced to life in prison but maintained his innocence.
A judge granted him a new trial in 2016 after finding that Syed's trial lawyer might have provided 'ineffective assistance' by failing to cross-examine an expert about the reliability of cell tower evidence.
More: Judge denies bail for 'Serial' podcast phenom Adnan Syed
More: 'Serial' podcast phenom seeks freedom after 17 years
Much of the case centered on a potentially alibi and incoming phone calls that placed him at the location where he was accused of burying his victim. AT&T said at the time that incoming calls were not reliable for determining locations.
Brown said without the podcast, he doesn't know if all this progress in Syed's case would have happened, adding all the support 'fueled' their efforts to free him.
'Serial' uses investigative journalism to tell a non-fiction story over multiple episodes. It was first released in 2014 as a spinoff of the radio program This American Life.
Syed's story drew millions of listeners around the world in 2014, smashing iTunes podcast records. The podcast talked to Syed, officials, friends, relatives and investigators to determine whether Syed was guilty. The series finale drew no firm conclusion.
Contributing: John Bacon.
Follow Christal Hayes on Twitter: Journo_Christal
Published 3:59 PM EDT Mar 29, 2018
Show Info:Serial is a podcast from the creators of This American Life, hosted by Sarah Koenig. Serial unfolds one story - a true story - over the course of a whole season. The show follows the plot and characters wherever they lead, through many surprising twists and turns. Sarah won't know what happens at the end of the story until she gets there, not long before you get there with her. Each week she'll bring you the latest chapter, so it's important to listen in, starting with Episode 1. New episodes are released on Thursday mornings.Read more »