‘We continue to grieve,’ says family of victim in ‘Serial’ slaying

The family of Hae Min Lee, the victim in the homicide case investigated by the “Serial” podcast, reacted with frustration to news that her accused killer has been granted a new trial.

In a statement issued Friday morning through the Maryland attorney general’s office, Lee’s relatives said they continue to believe Adnan Syed is guilty of Lee’s killing.

“We do not speak as often or as loudly as those who support Adnan Syed, but we care just as much about this case. We continue to grieve,” the statement said. “We continue to believe justice was done when Mr. Syed was convicted of killing Hae.”

“While we continue to put our faith in the courts and hope the decision will be reversed, we are very disappointed by the judge’s decision. We remain thankful to the many, many people who have expressed their support for us, and to the state for standing by the true victims and for giving Hae Min Lee a voice.”

On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Martin Welch in Baltimore vacated Syed’s conviction and ordered a new trial. He cited a piece of evidence flagged by a “Serial” blogger, which he said should have been addressed by Syed’s trial counsel.

Lee was killed in 1999, and the 18-year-old’s body was found buried in Baltimore’s Leakin Park. Police arrested Syed, her ex-boyfriend, who was convicted of murder by a jury and sentenced to life in prison in 2000. A friend testified that he helped Syed bury Lee’s body, and cellphone tower evidence linked his phone to the area.

NEWSLETTER: Get the day’s top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >>

Syed has maintained his innocence, and the case was profiled on the “Serial” podcast that was downloaded millions of times and caused listeners around the world to delve into the details of his trial.

Among those details was a fax cover sheet from AT&T that said that data regarding incoming calls was unreliable, and the cellphone technician who testified at Syed’s trial but now says he can’t stand by his testimony.

An FBI cellphone expert testifying for the state at Syed’s February post-conviction hearing said that the call data was nevertheless reliable. But Welch said Syed’s trial lawyer should have pressed the issue and ruled that he received ineffective counsel.

Fenton writes for the Baltimore Sun.

ALSO

Conviction vacated, new trial granted for Adnan Syed of ‘Serial’

Latest twist in Adnan Syed story makes it even more media mighty

With a major victory in hand, still a long road ahead for Adnan Syed