Stereotypes play a large role in our society as a whole, many of which lie in the unconscious minds of our peers. Stereotyping is a persistent human tendency that we are taught to suppress due to prejudiced outcomes that occur from action. However, not everyone is taught to remove, or at least restrain, these negative connotations, which can often lead to a clear bias before a presented decision is made. Looking at the case and trial of Adnan Syed, it is clear to see how strongly courtroom bias has influenced the outcome of this trial. The tenth episode of the podcast focuses on the trial of Hae Min Lee’s death, but a large portion of it discusses Adnan's convictions. At the beginning of the episode, it discusses the standard order of law known as “removal for cause” …show more content…
After further investigation, it was provided that the only corroborating fact between these three trials was “that it involved a Pakistani male charged with murder where the victim was known to the defendant”. Although the Judge might have removed those with implied bias from the jury, he had failed to account for present bias in the court itself. Vicki Wash had spread misinformation and used clear Islamophobia towards Adnan Syed in place of proof without repercussion from the court. Not only did this continue throughout his trial, but was done by multiple prosecutors in Adnan's case. Both Casey Murphy and Kevin Urick claim his actions were brought forth due to his honor being “besmirched” (timestamp 12:32). This word has a direct derivative from the term “honor killing” a phrase which means the murder of a girl performed by a male member of the family. This act was commonly performed in Middle Eastern or Indian subcontinents. Once more a direct acquisition against his ethnicity alone, placing more emphasis on his heritage being a cause for his alleged murder of Hae Min