(NewsSpace.com) – In a recent report, we told you the story of Adnan Syed in Baltimore, Maryland. State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s office asked a judge to vacate the 41-year-old’s conviction for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. A judge has now issued a ruling.
On September 19, Circuit Judge Melissa Phinn granted the state’s attorney’s request to vacate the conviction. The Baltimore Sun said her decision was in the “interest of justice and fairness.” She agreed the original prosecution team committed a Brady violation by not giving the defense information about two alternative suspects. The judge ordered Syed to be released and placed on home detention.
Adnan Syed walks out of the courthouse a free man after 23 years in prison. Lots of cheers. @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/OClfWIUGhe
— Katie Barlow (@katieleebarlow) September 19, 2022
A year-long investigation by Mosby’s office uncovered evidence against two men, one of whom threatened to kill Lee, who was 18 at the time of her death. The suspect had a connection to the neighborhood where the victim’s car was found. The other alternative suspect had a history of violence against women. The state’s attorney spoke about the problems with the conviction during a press conference after Phinn handed down her decision.
Mosby has 30 days from the date of the judge’s decision to decide whether to retry Syed for the murder or to drop changes and certify his innocence. She said her office is waiting for DNA testing to come back before making a final determination.
Copyright 2022, NewsSpace.com
