Maryland high court to review Syed's conviction in Serial podcast case

Adnan Syed had his conviction reinstated after a prison release over an investigation that found problems in the case against him

Adnan Syed outside the Robert Murphy Courts of Appeal building in February 2023, in Annapolis, Maryland. AP

The case of Adnan Syed, whose conviction for a Maryland murder was overturned and later reinstated, will be reviewed by the state's highest court under an order issued on Monday, documents showed.

Mr Syed, who was found guilty in 2000 of murdering Hae Min Lee, 18, and sentenced to life in prison, was released last year after an investigation identified problems with the case against him, leading a circuit court judge to vacate his conviction.

His case drew new attention after the popular podcast Serial raised doubts about his guilt. He served more than 20 years for the crime, which was committed when he was 17.

The judge left it to prosecutors to decide whether to retry him and they decided to drop the case.

But after Lee's family said it had been denied the ability to attend a critical hearing the case, an appeals panel in Maryland reinstated the conviction and ordered a new hearing.

The appeals court did not force Mr Syed to return to prison, saying that the issue could be handled without breaching protection in the US court system against trying someone twice for the same crime.

On Wednesday, Maryland Supreme Court senior Justice Shirley Watts said the court would review the appeals panel's ruling and a petition filed by the victim's family representative, Young Lee.

Arguments in the case were set for October 5.

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  Adnan Syed smiles and waves as he leaves the courthouse after a judge overturned his 2000 murder conviction and ordered a new trial in Baltimore, Maryland. Reuters

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  Mr Syed's mother, Shamim Syed, hugs a supporter after her son was released. Reuters

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  Erica Suter, director of the Innocence Project Clinic at the University of Baltimore School of Law and Mr Syed's lawyer, speaks outside the courthouse. AFP

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  A US judge on September 19 threw out the conviction after Mr Syed served more than 20 years in prison for his ex-girlfriend's murder. Reuters

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  State's Attorney for Baltimore Marilyn Mosby is embraced by Ms Syed after a judge overturned the 2000 murder conviction of her son. Reuters

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  The case was chronicled in the hit podcast Serial. AP

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  Ms Mosby is embraced by a supporter after the judge overturned the murder conviction. Reuters

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  Lawyer Chris Flohr embraces podcaster Sarah Koenig. Reuters

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  Mr Syed was convicted of the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. EPA

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  Mr Syed is a free man after serving 20 years in prison. EPA

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  Mr Syed always maintained his innocence and said he did not kill Lee. EPA

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  Prosecutors told a judge that they had found new information on two other people potentially involved in the murder. Reuters

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  Supporters gather outside the Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse. Reuters

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  Catina Carter wears a T-shirt reading '#FreeAdnan' outside the courthouse. Reuters

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  Mr Syed spent 20 years behind bars for Lee's murder. AP