In Annapolis, Maryland, a judge has concluded the high-profile case of Adnan Syed, which captured widespread interest through the “Serial” podcast. On Friday, Syed was formally sentenced to the time he has already served in prison. This marks the end of a lengthy legal saga filled with significant twists and years of public intrigue.
Judge Jennifer Schiffer, in a previous written decision, allowed Syed to remain free, despite his conviction for the murder of his ex-girlfriend in 1999, which happened when they were both high school students. The conviction still remains effective. However, Syed’s sentence was revised under a recent Maryland law that provides release options for crimes committed by minors. His modified sentence will now include five years of supervised probation.
In a swift session in Baltimore, Syed’s probation was adjusted, permitting him to travel to Washington, D.C., and Virginia without special authorization from a probation officer. Now 43, Syed works with Georgetown University’s Prisons and Justice Initiative, and he has family in Virginia. Although Syed’s lawyer, Erica Suter, requested to remove probation supervision entirely, the judge declined.
“I understand Mr. Syed requested unsupervised probation,” said Judge Schiffer. “However, given the significance of the charges and the relief granted, I’ve already shown him considerable leniency.” This decision followed a hearing in February, which featured poignant testimonies from Syed and the family of the victim, Hae Min Lee, who was strangled and discovered in a shallow grave in a Baltimore park.
Despite the serious nature of the past charges, both the prosecution and defense ensured Schiffer that Syed does not present a risk to public safety. The judge reminded Syed, who participated in Friday’s hearing online, of his suspended sentence, which could still be reinstated at any time. Originally, Syed was sentenced in 2000 to life imprisonment plus an additional 30 years for first-degree murder and related offenses.
“I hope this is our last encounter,” Schiffer addressed Syed, implying the weight of the suspended sentencing still looming over him. Syed, who was 17 at the time of Lee’s death and has steadfastly claimed his innocence, was freed from incarceration in 2022 after Baltimore prosecutors questioned the integrity of the original case, leading to a temporary vacating of his conviction.
However, the Lee family, feeling anguish from the vacated conviction by a former state’s attorney, pursued the reinstatement of the conviction, succeeding on procedural grounds due to lack of notice about Syed’s release hearing, which they had to attend via video link. David Sanford, representing Lee’s family, acknowledged the end of the prolonged legal ordeal.
Sanford stressed the family’s appreciation for the court’s respect throughout the proceedings and highlighted the Maryland Supreme Court’s landmark decision that strengthens victim rights within the state’s legal system. These rights include the ability to be heard and to actively engage in criminal justice proceedings.
Current Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, who previously questioned the validity of Syed’s conviction before taking office, stated last month that the office supports the jury’s prior verdict and has no intention of reopening the case.