Adnan Syed Is A Free Man After DNA Evidence Ruled Him Out As Suspect
"Today's the day that Adnan Syed and his loved ones have been awaiting for 23 long years."
Adnan Syed, whose story was the subject of the infamous Serial podcast, has had all charges against him dropped after DNA testing ruled him out as a suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee.
Syed, now 42, was convicted of Lee’s murder in 2000 — and has spent the last 23 years in prison.
But just weeks after the conviction was overturned, and Syed was released on home detention pending a potential retrial, Syed has finally had his restrictions lifted and will be a free man from today.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, Syed’s lawyer Erica Suter announced that the DNA results confirmed “what Adnan and his supporters have always known”.
“Today’s the day that Adnan Syed and his loved ones have been awaiting for 23 long years. The results of the DNA testing excluded Adnan and confirm what Adnan and his supporters have always known: that Adnan Syed is innocent,” said Suter, adding that Syed is not ready to speak publicly on the matter at this time.
“The state of Maryland has dropped the charges. Adnan Syed is free.”
Syed’s legal team are yet to confirm whether or not he will seek compensation for the wrongful conviction that resulted in him spending more than two decades behind bars.
“Today we are just elated that Adnan is free,” said Suter. “I think he’s just really elated to be able to have the small, quiet everyday joys of freedom that many of us take for granted.”
The family of Hae Min Lee have responded after Syed’s release, asserting that they were not advised of the decision and found out on the news alongside the rest of the world.
“The family received no notice and their attorney was offered no opportunity to be present at the proceeding,” attorney Steve Kelly, who represents her family, said.
“By rushing to dismiss the criminal charges, the State’s Attorney’s Office sought to silence Hae Min Lee’s family and to prevent the family and the public from understanding why the state so abruptly changed its position of more than 20 years.”
Photo Credit: Baltimore Sun/Getty Images