Adnan Syed, the convicted murderer whose case was examined in detail by the popular
"Serial" podcast, has been granted the chance at a re-trial.
CNN reported that Syed's lawyers will ask the Baltimore City Circuit Court to consider an affidavit by Asia McClain, a previously unheard witness interviewed by the podcast's chief journalist, Sarah Koenig. Syed, who pleaded not guilty, has said that his trial attorney, Cristina Gutierrez — who was later disbarred — failed to speak to McClain, and also refused to seek a plea deal at his request.
Syed was convicted in the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. Both were seniors at Woodlawn High School in Baltimore County when she disappeared. Her body was found weeks later in a wooded city park.
In the "Serial" podcast, McClain said she saw Syed in the school library around the time Lee was murdered, potentially providing an alibi for him. In January of this year, she signed an affidavit attesting to the same.
"We get to go back into post-conviction, like we did three years ago, basically bring in Asia and the court can then decide if the attorney messed up by not bringing in the alibi witness," said attorney and family friend Rabia Chaudry.
"He was really happy and excited, especially since the court said it was in the interest of justice," said Syed's brother, Yusuf.