Adnan Syed, whose murder conviction still stands, has gained global support from fans of the “Serial” podcast. A Baltimore judge, Jennifer Schiffer, ruled on Thursday to reduce Syed’s sentence under a new state law aimed at providing pathways for those convicted of crimes as minors. The judge noted that after five years of supervised probation, Syed is not considered a danger to the public. Emotional testimony from the victim, Hae Min Lee’s family emphasized the importance of protecting the life sentence against Syed, who maintains his innocence.
Syed was released from prison in 2022 after prosecutors discovered issues with his conviction. Since then, he has worked with Georgetown University’s prison and justice initiative. Syed’s attorney expressed joy over the sentence reduction, highlighting his accomplishments and commitment to community engagement.
However, Lee’s family, through their lawyer David Sanford, reiterated their belief in Syed’s guilt, stating that overwhelming circumstantial evidence supports the conviction. The judge’s ruling did not address the questions of guilt or innocence.
Baltimore state’s attorney Ivan Bates acknowledged the integrity of Syed’s conviction but indicated that his office would not pursue further investigations. The judge recognized both Syed’s achievements and the enduring suffering of Lee’s family, emphasizing that they are the true victims in this case. She expressed hope that the family could find peace following the courtroom proceedings.
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