‘Serial’: State Of Maryland Weighs In On Adnan Syed Appeal

The Serial podcast has arguably been the most popular in history, and there’s no real mystery as to why the podcast’s topic — the case of Adnan Syed and ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee — is so popular. Genuine murder mystery, a possible wrongful conviction, a team of NPR podcasters desperate to pull back layer after layer to get to the truth — all of these things are certainly a recipe for a bona fide phenomenon.

As to the case itself…

In 2000, Adnan Syed was convicted of robbery, false imprisonment, and first-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. After 12 episodes, the Serial podcast may have led to more questions than answers.

When it comes to complication, the court system in the United States is right up there with quantum physics. In May of 2010, Adnan Syed appealed the Baltimore City Circuit Court for “post-conviction relief,” effectively meaning that Syed was appealing his conviction. On January 6, 2014, the circuit court sided with the state of Maryland’s decision that he was guilty, and denied Adnan’s appeal. The very same month, Syed filed an application with the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, effectively asking the state to overturn the circuit courts denial of his appeal.

Confused yet?

What’s making news this week is that the state’s appeals court asked the state of Maryland to weigh in on Syed’s request that the rejection of his appeal to overturn his initial conviction be, in turn, overturned. The state of Maryland’s response on Wednesday? The state said they “respectfully request that the Court deny the application.”

Considering that the state of Maryland was the one to convict Adnan Syed in the first place, it’s not surprising that they recommend that his appeal denial stand. The state, however, didn’t just give a thumbs up or down like an ancient Caesar. Instead, they released a detailed, 23-page report as to why they don’t think that Adnan should be offered an appeal of his conviction.

However, the Serial podcast has created a tempest of press coverage and public awareness concerning Syed’s case. The question is, will the Serial podcast influence the state appeals court’s decision to reopen the case?

As fans of the Serial podcast, and those interested in the outcome of the decision, wait on pins and needles for a decision from the appeals court, logic dictates that they and Adnan Syed might be in for a long wait. Terri Charles, from the Maryland Judiciary Office of Communications and Public Affairs, says that there is no timeline as to how long a decision from the appeals court must take. In effect, they can take as long as they want, and it might make sense to wait as long as possible… unless they reopen the case.

The Serial podcast has shined a much brighter light on this case than normal. A denial of Syed’s appeal is likely to bring a very loud backlash against the courts and the appeals system in general in Maryland. Staying quiet for a while to let things “cool down” might look like a very popular option to those who would make the decision.

However, there could be another “out” for the appeals court. Reportedly, the court doesn’t have to just offer a straight “yes” or “no” to Adnan’s request. It could remand the judgment of the decision back to the circuit court that originally denied him the appeal with special directions, or it could order further proceedings.

As in all legal matters in the United States, there need not be a clear case of black and white. Shades of gray pervade.

All the while, Adnan Syed, innocent or guilty, awaits the decision in prison. Online, fans of Serial await to see just how their favorite podcast ends.

What do you think? Will the court grant Adnan Syed his appeal? Do you think the Serial podcast will play a role in that decision? Should it?