Serial fans, there are updates in the Adnan Syed case

Did you think the story of Adnan Syed was done and over? Think again. Though our favorite podcast, Serial, will be going in a different direction for its upcoming season with a brand new case, thanks to its investigation, the case against Syed is being re-opened. This is huge.

Here’s what’s going on: Syed is currently in the middle of serving a life sentence for the conviction of killing his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. This crime goes back to 1999, with a sentencing in 2000. Now jump ahead to 2014, when the podcast Serial comes on the scene, and begins to raise questions and doubts about the charges against Syed. It also brings forward a few pieces of brand new evidence, along with a huge legion of fans listening along, trying to figure out the case for themselves.

Earlier this year, Syed was granted an appeal by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Now, after a very long wait — because, the legal system — Syed has been granted a motion to re-open his case. This will give him and his lawyer, lawyer, C. Justin Brown, the opportunity to present brand new evidence in court. One major new piece of evidence lies with cell phone tower records, which Syed’s provider at the time of Lee’s murder, AT&T, explained were not reliable and should never have been used as evidence in the first place. This means any records obtained back in 1999 can’t be used to place Syed at the scene of Lee’s murder, which is what the initial investigation did.

“We think this is a very big step in the direction of getting Adnan a new trial,” Mr. Brown said in a statement to the New York Times. “It’s exciting news for us, but there’s still a long way for us. By no means does this end the case. In some ways, it opens the door for more legal proceedings. But we are grateful for the chance to move forward.”

So, first comes that appeal, then a motion, and the final step will be the upcoming hearing. That hasn’t been scheduled yet, but Syed and his team are moving in the right direction to get his trial re-opened again.

(Image via Serial/NPR)