# Do you believe Adnan Syed is guilty of murder and are you a Democrat or Republican? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 6, 2016, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338 "2016-04-06T13:32:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/81 "2016-04-13T20:25:01Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I’m just curious: where did you get the information about the camera from? [It’s not true](http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/05/testimony-turns-to-security-cameras-in-adnan-syed-hearing/). My mistake. I just misremembered the detail. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2016, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/82 "2016-04-13T21:18:03Z")
> [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > Actually has nothing to do with ethnicity. But I slightly feel like Republicans are more likely to think of him as Guilty. I am a Democrat and I think he’s innocent. One of my close friends is a hard Republican and he thinks he’s guilty. > > I am testing to see whether this is just a coincidence or if there is some correlation. So far: D = 42% say the jury got it right R = 20% say the jury got it right So what this seems to be saying is…80% of Republicans think the American justice system is untrustworthy! They hate America! ---
**Author:** ![mtomm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@mtomm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtomm)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/83 "2016-04-13T21:22:33Z")
I am a progressive and I think he deserves a trial with competent representation. Unsure of his guilt or innocence. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/84 "2016-06-30T21:07:58Z")
[New trial granted for Syed](http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-adnan-syed-new-trial-20160630-story.html). ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/85 "2016-07-11T18:04:08Z")
Investigation Discovery did a doc on this (“Adnan Syed: Innocent of Guilty”) that premiered last week. My gut feeling was that he probably did it. However, not having virtue of all the evidence presented at the trial, and based solely on the info provided in the doc, I would not have been able to vote ‘guilty.’ It will probably be on again, if anyone is interested. It might even be on their website. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/86 "2016-07-11T19:14:13Z")
> [@campp](#): > > Who is Adnan Syed? linky? This. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2016, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/87 "2016-07-11T19:19:48Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > This. There are several links throughout this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2016, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/88 "2016-07-11T19:51:56Z")
Can we get a link to those? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/89 "2018-02-26T14:30:24Z")
Since I know everyone in this thread has been on the edges of their seats for the last year-and-a-half, I figured I’d link to this pseudo-update: [Adnan Syed’s attorney expects appeals court ruling this week](https://www.abc2news.com/news/crime-checker/baltimore-county-crime/adnan-syeds-attorney-say-he-expects-appeals-court-ruling-on-new-trial-this-coming-week) In short, on appeal, Syed was granted a new trial by a local court. That decision was appealed by state prosecutors, and a ruling may be coming this week. And then _that_ ruling may well be appealed, whichever way it goes. So, I’m guessing that Syed is still a long way from a new trial, **IF** there ever is a new trial. Perhaps the biggest question will be if he’s allowed to go free on bail should a ruling this week determine that he should get a new trial. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/90 "2018-11-30T13:39:19Z")
Minor update. The granting of a new trial to Syed was upheld in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals a while back. The state appealed to the Maryland Supreme Court, and [oral arguments were held yesterday](https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-adnan-syed-opening-arguments-20181129-story.html). It’s possible a ruling won’t be out before August 2019. Syed remains incarcerated while the appeals process plays out. I continue to hope there’s a new trial. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/91 "2018-11-30T14:51:25Z")
I also hope there is a new trial. I am on the fence as to his guilt but I don’t believe he was fairly represented at his first and second trial. It’s clear his attorney was compromised by her health problems. Not that anyone asked, but here’s my take. The fact there is no physical evidence tying him to crime is a big point in his favor. Jay’s story changing and his reputation for being a liar help Adnan. But I agree with the producer in the podcast who said on the last episode of Serial that a lot of really unlucky coincidences had to have happened for Adnan on the day the girl went missing. And that’s really hard to accept. And why would Jay even have involved himself in the first place if he was lying completely? Why risk the trouble he could have been in for being an accessory after fact? ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/92 "2018-11-30T16:09:57Z")
I was a real latecomer to the Serial podcast having just listened a few months ago. I think Hae’s killer is either Adnan or Jay, and I would strongly lean toward it being Adnan. Does granting a new trial hinge on the alibi witness that wrote to Adnan claiming to have seen him in the library but was never called to testify? If so, she seemed to be a flimsy witness. All that said, the prosecutor’s case would probably not have compelled me to vote “guilty” were I on the jury. I listened to another podcast episode that tried to present the new boyfriend (Don?) as the killer, but I don’t think I’m buying it. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/93 "2018-11-30T17:17:51Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I was a real latecomer to the Serial podcast having just listened a few months ago. I think Hae’s killer is either Adnan or Jay, and I would strongly lean toward it being Adnan. Does granting a new trial hinge on the alibi witness that wrote to Adnan claiming to have seen him in the library but was never called to testify? If so, she seemed to be a flimsy witness. All that said, the prosecutor’s case would probably not have compelled me to vote “guilty” were I on the jury. > > I listened to another podcast episode that tried to present the new boyfriend (Don?) as the killer, but I don’t think I’m buying it. Why do you think Adnan did it? I don’t think Don had anything to do with it. Just doesn’t make sense. My stance has always been he is not guilty but not necessarily innocent. I was intrigued by the idea of the potential serial killer who killed himself in 2007. At least it’s another option to explore. And regarding the alibi witness, I believe her boyfriend at the time corroborates her. I find her believable. What does she have to gain by lying? ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/94 "2018-11-30T20:03:58Z")
It comes down to Jay. He’s not a very credible witness, which is why I’d have a hard time actually convicting Adnan. But Jay knew where Hae’s car was. There are only three explanations for that. 1. His story is at least mostly true. 2. He did it and he’s pinning it on Adnan. 3. The police found the car and coerced him into lying. I think #1 is most likely, but again, too weak for a conviction. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/95 "2018-11-30T20:50:52Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > It comes down to Jay. He’s not a very credible witness, which is why I’d have a hard time actually convicting Adnan. But Jay knew where Hae’s car was. There are only three explanations for that. > > 1. His story is at least mostly true. > 2. He did it and he’s pinning it on Adnan. > 3. The police found the car and coerced him into lying. > > I think #1 is most likely, but again, too weak for a conviction. Good point about the car. I forgot about that. I tend to agree with you. If Adnan really did it, he is a true psychopath, isn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/96 "2018-11-30T21:08:18Z")
Jay is either a liar about helping Adnan or he’s telling the truth. I believe that Adnan is a psychopath based upon Jay’s testimony alone. No reason for a new trial. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/97 "2018-11-30T21:48:09Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Jay is either a liar about helping Adnan or he’s telling the truth. > > I believe that Adnan is a psychopath based upon Jay’s testimony alone. No reason for a new trial. No, there is reason for sure. Adnan’s lawyer majorly screwed up by not investigating a potential alibi and for not getting a cell phone expert to refute the state’s expert. If the girl in the library who says she saw him at the time of the murder tesitifed, he very well could have gotten off. I also struggle with motive. He didn’t really have one did he? She had a new boyfriend, he had other girls he was dating. Their breakup was amicable enough that when she had a car wreck a couple weeks before the murder, she had Adnan and the new boyfriend come help her. The new boyfriend testified in both trials he was friendly and they had a nice chat. He wasn’t acting like some stalker psycho. Of course none of this proves anything. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/98 "2018-11-30T22:07:25Z")
Hasn’t that alibi witness flip-flopped a couple times on whether or not she really is an alibi? Also, she thinks she [may have seen Hae’s ghost](https://observer.com/2016/06/the-9-most-surprising-revelations-from-asia-mcclains-new-serial-memoir/). Unreliable may be an understatement. As shaky as a lot of the state’s evidence is, Jay knowing the location of Hae’s car is basically the clincher. It completely rules out anyone other than Jay or Adnan (unless you think it’s a police frame job, which I just can’t buy into). Jay’s story was so wishy washy because he wanted to downplay his involvement. And he was clearly involved. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/99 "2018-11-30T22:07:51Z")
Lots of psychopaths put on a positive outward appearance…that’s part of what makes them psychopaths. Again what motive does Jay have to lie? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338/100 "2019-03-25T14:54:03Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Minor update. The granting of a new trial to Syed was upheld in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals a while back. The state appealed to the Maryland Supreme Court, and [oral arguments were held yesterday](https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-adnan-syed-opening-arguments-20181129-story.html). > > It’s possible a ruling won’t be out before August 2019. Syed remains incarcerated while the appeals process plays out. > > I continue to hope there’s a new trial. Further update - > [@](#): > > Adnan Syed, whose murder trial was dissected on the hit podcast “Serial,” was denied a new trial on Friday by Maryland’s highest court, which reversed a court decision from last year… > > Maryland’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, ruled in a 4-to-3 decision that while Mr. Syed’s defense lawyer had been “deficient” in not calling a potential alibi witness to testify during the trial 19 years ago, ultimately Mr. Syed was not “prejudiced” by that deficiency. [Cite.](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/us/adnan-syed-case-conviction.html) Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-adnan-syed-is-guilty-of-murder-and-are-you-a-democrat-or-republican/751338.md?page=6)