Motion to Vacate Adnan Syed’s Murder Conviction Withdrawn by Baltimore State’s Attorney

Despite Problems with Evidence, Adnan Syed Remains Convicted Murderer

Despite documented problems with the evidence against him and an earlier request from prosecutors to clear his record, Adnan Syed will remain a convicted murderer, according to court papers filed Tuesday night.

The decision from Baltimore prosecutors comes ahead of a scheduled hearing Wednesday morning where a judge will consider whether to reduce Syed’s sentence, but this means the conviction itself is no longer in question.

Baltimore State’s Attorney Withdraws Motion to Vacate Conviction

Maryland State’s Attorney Ivan Bates announced Tuesday that his office is withdrawing a previously filed motion to vacate Syed’s conviction in the 1999 killing of his high school ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, who was found strangled to death and buried in a makeshift grave.

“I did not make this decision lightly, but it is necessary to preserve the credibility of our office and maintain public trust in the justice system,” Bates said in a statement.

Background on the Case

The original motion to vacate, which was filed by Bates’ predecessor Marilyn Mosby, won Syed his freedom in 2022. However, his conviction was reinstated following a procedural challenge from Lee’s family. The Maryland Supreme Court ordered a redo of the conviction vacatur hearing after finding that the family didn’t receive adequate notice to attend in person.

Syed has maintained his innocence from the beginning, but many questions remain unanswered, including the identity of the killer and the reliability of the evidence presented at trial.

Bates’ Decision

Bates chose not to ask a judge to again consider Syed’s guilt or innocence, instead supporting Syed’s motion for a reduced sentence without addressing the underlying conviction.

Bates said that since his release in 2022, Syed has demonstrated he is a productive member of society whose continued freedom is “in the interest of justice.” He said the case “is precisely what legislators envisioned when they crafted the Juvenile Restoration Act.”

Facts and Figures

• Adnan Syed was 17 when Hae Min Lee was killed in 1999.
• Syed has been working at Georgetown University’s Prisons and Justice Initiative and caring for aging relatives since his release in 2022.
• Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates withdrew the motion to vacate Syed’s conviction on Tuesday.
• The case has been the subject of a popular podcast, “Serial,” which re-examined the evidence and interviewed witnesses.

Consequences and Next Steps

The decision means that Syed’s conviction will stand, and he will not be re-tried. However, his sentence may be reduced under the Juvenile Restoration Act.

FAQs

Q: What does the decision mean for Adnan Syed?

A: The decision means that Syed’s conviction will stand, and he will not be re-tried. However, his sentence may be reduced under the Juvenile Restoration Act.

Q: Why did the Baltimore State’s Attorney withdraw the motion to vacate the conviction?

A: The decision was made “to preserve the credibility of our office and maintain public trust in the justice system,” according to the state’s attorney.

Q: What is the next step in the process?

A: The case is now closed, and Syed’s sentence will be reviewed under the Juvenile Restoration Act. If approved, his sentence could be reduced, but the conviction will remain in place.

Q: What is the significance of the Juvenile Restoration Act?

A: The act provides a pathway for people who were convicted as minors to have their sentences reviewed and potentially reduced, taking into account the fact that brain development continues beyond the teenage years.