Episode 14 - MD v Adnan Masud Syed, with Robb Chadwick: A Victory for Victims' Rights in Maryland

Based in Fact

This episode is dedicated to Robb Chadwick, who passed away in mid-December. Robb was a great friend, a supporter of this podcast and a true Southern gentleman. His insight and knowledge of the facts of many cases, along with his kind and calm debate strategy will be missed by many. RIP, Robb.

In Episode 14, State of Maryland v. Adnan Masud Syed, Lisa was joined by Robb Chadwick, a former journalist with a life-long interest in the truth of true crime and fairness for victims. Since his retirement, Robb has researched and written about a number of cases — but none more than the case of the day: the murder of Hae Min Lee by Adnan Masud Syed. On January 13, 1999, Hae Min Lee disappeared after leaving Woodlawn High School, where she was a popular athlete and scholar. Police looking for her questioned several people, including her current boyfriend and ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed. On February 9, 1999, Hae’s body was found partially buried in a shallow grave in Leakin Park, in Baltimore City, Maryland. Three days later, on February 12, an anonymous tip led police to put Adnan Syed at the top of their suspect list. On February 27, 1999, Jay Wilds, an acquaintance of Syed, was interviewed by police and, early on the morning of February 28, 1999, led police to Hae’s missing vehicle. Syed was convicted and sentenced to Life, plus 30 years in 2000. The case has been the topic of multiple podcasts over the years and in 2022, his conviction was vacated by a pro-defendant judge in a fixed hearing at which no one represented the interests of Hae Min Lee, or her family. On August 30, 2024, the Supreme Court of Maryland affirmed the Appellate Court of Maryland’s reinstatement of Syed’s conviction and held that Hae’s brother, Young Lee, had the right to be heard at any future hearing seeking to vacate Syed’s conviction.