Several weeks after his release from prison, Serial podcast subject Adnan Syed is "catching up" on life after being incarcerated for 23 years, says lawyer Rabia Chaudry.
Syed was convicted for the 1999 death of his former girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, and served 23 years of a life sentence before the murder conviction was overturned in October.
The case was followed closely by journalist Sarah Koenig, who started the podcast Serial in 2014, which brought international attention to Syed's story, chronicled the details of Min Lee's death, and examined the evidence of the case against Syed.
Prosecutors dropped charges against the now 41-year-old after DNA testing effectively cleared him of the charges, and since then, Chaudry said Syed has been "living privately and quietly."
"I mean, he went in as a 17-year-old and came out as a 41-year-old man, he's got a lot to catch up on, obviously. He's been just kind of living privately and quietly, staying out of the media right now, and just learning how to get back into life," Chaudry told TODAY on Monday while promoting her new book, Fatty Fatty Boom Boom.
"He has a great support system, a lot of exonerees that he was incarcerated with are helping him transition into the world and learning technology and feeding the squirrels in his backyard," Chaudry added. "Yeah, he's doing very well, and we're just so grateful that his struggle is finally over."
The attorney has been a supporter and friend of Syed for many years, and is also the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Adnan's Story as well as the executive producer of the HBO documentary series titled The Case Against Adnan Syed.
Syed's defense attorney, Erica Suter, echoed similar sentiments of joy and gratefulness several weeks ago, following the overturning of the murder conviction. Suter told Newsweek in a previous report, "He is elated. He is joyful. He is still processing this. There have been so many ups and downs over the past 23 years, so he is really just taking it all in. But he's incredibly grateful for all of the people who have supported him and believed in him over the years."
The family of Min Lee, however, led by her brother Young Lee, has appealed the overturning, asking the appellate court for a new and public evidentiary hearing due to the argument that they were not given the opportunity to "meaningfully" participate in the court hearing at which Syed's conviction was thrown out.
The Min Lee family's attorney, Steve Kelly, said in a statement last week, "All they are seeking is what the law requires—a full evidentiary hearing in which they can meaningfully participate and one that makes public the relevant evidence."
Newsweek reached out to Chaudry for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Emma Mayer is a Newsweek Culture Writer based in Wyoming. Her focus is reporting on celebrities, books, movies, and music. ... Read more
