Maryland Supreme Court Reinstates Adnan Syed’s Murder Conviction, Orders New Hearing

The Maryland Supreme Court ordered a new hearing due to violations of the victim’s family’s rights.

FILE - Adnan Syed and his mother Shamim Rahman talk with reporters as they arrive at Maryland's Supreme Court in Annapolis, Md., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, to hear arguments in an appeal by Syed, whose conviction for killing his ex-girlfriend more than 20 years ago was chronicled in the hit podcast "Serial." AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File

The Maryland Supreme Court has reinstated Adnan Syed’s murder conviction, ordering a hearing after ruling that the legal rights of the victim’s family were violated during a court proceeding that led to Syed’s release.

The 4–3 split decision handed down on Aug. 30 by the Maryland Supreme Court means that Syed, who was convicted in 2000 of murdering his high school ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee, remains legally convicted even though he has been free since September 2022.