Defend or Convict? Adnan Syed is Innocent
By: Kirsten Persad

If you listen to podcasts, then you have most likely heard of the hit series Serial. Focusing around the trial of Adnan Syed, a Baltimore teenager convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. Sarah Koenig carefully guides her listeners though events leading up to the conviction of Adnan Syed, serving a life sentence since 1999. Serial is This American Life’s newest and most enthralling podcast hosted by Sarah Koenig, featuring one episode per week with more insight into the story of Adnan Syed. The show offers a deep look into Adnan’s trial and the criminal justice system around him.

Koenig’s superb storytelling, investigative reporting and interviews with the people involved in the trial, delivers granular details that call into question the court’s decision. Leaving listeners baffled as they tried to decide whether or not he actually did it. As the true-life mystery podcast Serial captivated millions, an appeal attempting to throw out the life sentence of the convicted murderer, at the story's center is winding its way through court. As the twelfth and final episode came to an end you can imagine the thousands left with unanswered questions, confusion as well as the astonishment and disbelief of his conviction. Syed, now 34 years old is still serving a life sentence while maintaining his innocence and having no involvement in the murder.

1. Weak Motive

Although a lack of motive is a relatively small hole in the State’s case, it is a hole nonetheless, and something to consider in the deliberation of this case. According to the interviews conducted by Koenig, all of Adnan and Hae’s friends seem to unanimously agree that their breakup was a civil one. Like any young high school student, Adnan was heartbroken and somber when his girlfriend of eight months, Hae, decided to break it off.