Fans of the murder mystery podcast Serial who wanted its protagonist, Adnan Syed, to be given another chance at freedom now have a reason to celebrate: A Maryland appellate court ruled Monday to allow Syed's request for "post-conviction relief" (AKA a shorter sentence) to be reopened.
The Maryland Court Of Special Appeals' ruling means that Syed's case will be opened in a Baltimore circuit court, where new evidence can be introduced.
This is good news for Syed, who was convicted of murdering ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee in 1999 and received a life sentence. He has an alibi -- the testimony of friend Asia McClain who said she saw him at the time when he was supposed to be killing Lee -- and this appeal means her account can be submitted as evidence, if the court accepts it.
The basis for Syed's appeal came from reports that his lawyer Christina Gutierrez never contacted McClain, despite the fact that she reached out to Syed's defense team during his murder trial.
Make sure to look back at all of our Serial coverage, in case you might have missed something.
