A judge in Maryland has officially sentenced Adnan Syed on Friday to the time he has already spent in prison, bringing an end to a lengthy legal case that gained global attention through the true-crime podcast “Serial.” Judge Jennifer Schiffer had previously ruled that Syed would remain free, despite his conviction in the murder of his ex-girlfriend in 1999 when they were in high school. This decision was made under a new state law that allows for the release of individuals convicted of crimes committed as minors, with Syed now placed on five years of supervised probation.
During a brief hearing in Baltimore, Schiffer adjusted Syed’s probation terms to permit travel to Washington, D.C., and Virginia without needing specific permission. Syed, who is now 43 and works at Georgetown University, had requested unsupervised probation, but the judge opted for supervised probation as a compromise. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the relief already granted to Syed.
The ruling came after a February hearing that included emotional testimonies from Syed, as well as relatives of the victim, Hae Min Lee, who was murdered and buried in a Baltimore park. Both the prosecution and defense assured the judge that Syed does not pose a threat to public safety. Syed, who was 17 at the time of the crime and maintains his innocence, was released from prison in 2022 following the revelation of issues in his case by Baltimore prosecutors.
The victim’s family and their attorney expressed relief that the case has finally come to a close after a long legal battle. They appreciated the court’s respect for their input throughout the proceedings and acknowledged the Maryland Supreme Court for granting victims specific rights in criminal cases. The family’s attorney, David Sanford, noted the importance of victims being heard, present, and able to participate meaningfully in the legal process.
In conclusion, the judge’s decision marks the end of a lengthy legal saga involving Adnan Syed and brings closure to the victim’s family.
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The individual, who previously expressed skepticism about the conviction’s validity before assuming the role of the city’s chief prosecutor, stated last month that their office supports the jury’s decision and does not intend to further investigate the case.
