Adnan Syed was 19 when he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his ex-girlfriend in 1999. The body of Hae Min Lee (18) was found buried in a forest in Baltimore in the USA. But was it Syed who strangled the ex-boyfriend? That’s the question millions of listeners around the world have asked themselves after listening to the podcast “Serial” from 2014. Syed has always maintained his innocence, but all his appeals have been rejected. After almost 23 years in prison, Syed was released on Monday after a judge ordered a new trial. One of the reasons is that there is new information about two alternative suspects. Adnan Syed (41) has spent 23 years in prison for murdering his ex-girlfriend. He has now been released after new information about the murder became available. Photo: Carlos Barria / Reuters The case about Syed thus became world-famous through the podcast “Serial” in 2014. Throughout the 12 episodes, questions are asked about whether Syed was guilty of murder or not. The series pointed to several weaknesses in the legal process, as well as problems with the timeline that was presented. The episodes have been downloaded over 340 million times, according to the BBC. Cheers erupted in the Baltimore courtroom when the judge ordered Syed released with immediate effect. This is “Serial” American podcast in the true crime genre. Season 1 was about the murder of Hae Min Lee, on January 13, 1999. Her ex-boyfriend, 17-year-old Adnan Syed, was convicted of the murder and imprisoned for life. “Serial” re-examines the case, in every detail, to find out if Adnan Syed is guilty or innocent. The 12-episode documentary appeared weekly from autumn 2014. It was an international smash hit. The episodes have been downloaded more than 340 million times, according to the BBC. “Serial” was produced for WBEZ Chicago, This American Life by producer Sarah Koenig. Funded through a combination of sponsors and listener donations. Surprising twist It was the prosecution itself that asked that the case be re-investigated. Last week, it asked the court to vacate the sentence. The reason was that new information has come in about two alternative suspects. There is also new information about unreliable mobile data that was used to convict Syed. The prosecution is also awaiting results from new DNA samples on Lee’s clothes. The prosecutor’s office in Baltimore now has 30 days to either file new charges against Syed, or to drop the case. Journalist and producer Sarah Koenig was behind the podcast “Serial” from 2014, where she unraveled the threads of the murder case in which Adnan Syed was convicted. On Monday, she was in court in Baltimore when Syed was released. Here she is embraced by lawyer Chris Flohr. Photo: JONATHAN ERNST / Reuters The start of true-crime “Serial” was an international smash hit when it was launched in 2014. It was the first podcast to be downloaded 5 million times on iTunes. The podcast also paved the way for several so-called true crime series, which take up crime cases from real life. The company that made the podcast states on Twitter that a new episode about the latest developments will be launched on Tuesday, the BBC writes. Five true crime tips Book: “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote (1966). The story of the murder of four family members in Kansas. Capote gained access to the police investigation and conducted interviews with the two convicted of the murders. Considered the start of the entire true crime genre. Film: “The Thin Blue Line” by Errol Morris (1988). Morris reconstructs the murder of a policeman based on witness descriptions and police interviews. One year after the film’s premiere, the former prime suspect was released from prison, where he was serving a life sentence. Film: Paradise Lost, by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky (1996). About the murders of three boys in Arkansas. Three local teenagers are suspected of killing them in a satanic ritual. Berlinger and Sinofsky also made two sequel films. Podcast: “Serial” by Sara Koenig (2014). The radio journalist Koenig takes a closer look at a murder case from 1999. The documentary was presented as a series of podcasts, and created great interest among listeners. TV series: “The Jinx” by Andrew Jarecki (2015). Robert Durst was a suspect in three different murder cases. In the wrong place at the wrong time, or cold-blooded killer?
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Adnan Syed, who became famous through the podcast “Serial”, has been released – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
