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University's Innocence Project investigates case told by Serial podcast

Unexplored evidence may bring new trial

A University organization that works to litigate wrongful convictions of inmates has helped investigate the case explored in the popular podcast series “Serial.” 

The Innocence Project has helped to uncover the complicated facts surrounding the case of Adnan Syed, a man convicted of murdering his high school ex-girlfriend and classmate Hae Min Lee in 1999. The case may soon receive a new trial.

Upon learning of the Innocence Project’s past cases, host Sarah Koenig reached out to Deirdre Enright, the director of investigation for the Law School's Innocence Project Clinic. The clinic gained prominence after its involvement in the 2011 case of Justin Wolfe, whose conviction was later overturned.

“Good old Adnan saw a similarity between himself and Justin Wolfe, so he asked Sarah to call us and run certain issues in his case by us,” Enright said. “Sarah quickly realized we were a good resource for her.”

Enright, along with eight University law students, tracked down leads and identified alternative suspects, namely Ronald Lee Moore, a man who was released from prison right before Lee’s murder. Once they learned there was physical evidence that was never tested for DNA, including a liquor bottle containing human skin cells and a rope found at the scene of the crime, they visited Syed in prison to explain how he could file a request for forensic testing.

In December, Enright said in a press release her team would look into other ways to exonerate Syed.

"The combined efforts of Sarah Koenig and Syed's team of supporters have already revealed many significant new facts that were never presented to the jury, and our investigation is far from complete," Enright said.

In the case forensic testing is not permitted, or if such testing does not generate new evidence, the team will continue its investigation of the case using non-biological evidence, Enright said.

In response to an appeal that Syed’s counsel was “constitutionally ineffective” during his trial, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals agreed to send Syed's case back to the Baltimore City Circuit Court. He can now file a request to reopen the case.

The circuit court will not only consider an affidavit from alibi witness Asia McClain, but also other “issues raised by the appeal.” This could include questions brought up by “Serial” as well as DNA evidence. A new trial may be granted if the circuit court finds there is sufficient reason to reopen the case.

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