HBO’s “The Case Against Adnan Syed” reveals evidence that Syed may not have been guilty of murder.
In 1999, 18-year-old Baltimore high schooler Hae Min Lee went missing. Her strangulated body was found days later in a nearby field. Her ex-boyfriend and class mate Adnan Syed was convicted of the crime, even though his lawyers have maintained his innocence. There have been many serious missing links to the trial documented in podcasts and books. For two decades, Syed has insisted that he is innocent while he serves a life sentence of 30 plus years.
A new documentary series on HBO that premiered last month once again puts the spotlight on this sensational case of an American teenager born to immigrant Pakistani parents getting convicted for a crime he may not have committed.
The Case Against Adnan Syed is HBO’s new four-part documentary that reveals newer discoveries and makes some monumental revelations about the case that has gripped millions across the globe. Back in 2014, a hugely viewed podcast serial brought the story to global attention. The new docuseries directed by Oscar nominee Amy Berg re-examines the case from many previously ignored angles.
The series had a premiere in New York last month, attended by British activist Jemima Khan, who has been involved in the production of the series.
Earlier this week the Court of Appeals rejected Syed’s request for a new trial. On Friday, his lawyer took to Twitter to announce that he will be appealing the Supreme Court.
The just released documentary may go a long way in proving what Syed’s lawyers have been insisting all along. The first two episodes that were aired recently brought new details about a man Hae was dating at the time of her murder.
The episodes also unraveled further details onto the account of Jay Wilds, who has remained the main witness for the prosecution in the case. Episode three brings along some key details unearthed by attorney Susan Simpson, which may have been overlooked in the case – that an incoming call that has been used by prosecution to link Syed to the case cannot be considered reliable information for location.
The case had had many twists and turns with another of Syed’s classmate, Asia McLain, telling that Syed was talking with her many miles away from the scene of the crime on the day of the murder.
The four episodes are a must watch not only because it involves two young Americans whose promising lives were cut short but also because it gives us newer perspectives on our criminal justice system.
1 Comment
I watched this entire documentary and it does not take a rocket scientist to know this guy has been wrongly convicted and has been left to rot in jail. Our criminal justice system is horrible!