Podcast FAQ

serial podcast case

by Robin Rolfson Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What is Serial podcast about?

Serial is a new podcast from the creators of This American Life, hosted by Sarah Koenig. Serial will follow one story – a true story – over the course of a whole season. Hae Min Lee, a senior at Woodlawn High School in Baltimore County, Maryland – who disappeared January 13, 1999. A month later, her body turned up in a city park.

What are the companion podcasts to serial?

The popularity of Serial and the intrigue of the case it covered has spawned several companion podcasts, such as Crime Writers on Serial, The Serial Serial, and Undisclosed: The State vs. Adnan Syed, the latter produced by Rabia Chaudry.

How many times has Serial podcast been downloaded?

Serial won a Peabody Award in April 2015 for its innovative telling of a long-form nonfiction story. As of September 2018, episodes of seasons 1 and 2 have been downloaded over 340 million times, establishing an ongoing podcast world record.

Can Reddit solve a murder at the center of serial podcasts?

"Redditors Are Trying to Solve a Murder That's at the Center of the Wildly Popular Serial Podcast". Business Insider. Business Insider Inc. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014.

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Where is Adnan Syed now?

He stood trial twice for her murder and was convicted in 2000 and sentenced to life in prison plus 40 years. Syed is incarcerated at the state's Patuxent Institution in Jessup.

What happened to the Serial podcast?

On March 29, 2018, Maryland Court of Special Appeals upheld the decision to grant Syed a new trial. This decision was later overturned by the Maryland Court of Appeals on March 8, 2019, and Syed's conviction was reinstated. On November 25, 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected his appeal for a retrial.

Is Serial podcast true crime?

Serial tells one story — a true story — over the course of a season. Serial has won every major award for broadcasting, including the duPont-Columbia, Scripps Howard, Edward R. Murrow, and the first-ever Peabody awarded to a podcast. Serial, like This American Life, is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago.

How long did Adnan Syed get?

On February 25, 2000, the jury found Syed guilty of first degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and robbery. Syed was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years and Syed's family immediately fired Gutierrez following the verdict.

What happened to Joshua from Serial?

Court records show Josh ultimately admitted to the allegations contained in the letter, and Sweeney sentenced him to nine years in adult prison.

What happened to Syed from Serial?

They filed the joint request Thursday. Syed, who has maintained his innocence, was convicted of Lee's murder in 2000. He appealed the case but the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear it in 2019. Syed remains imprisoned in Maryland on a life sentence.

How old is Adnan Syed?

41 years (May 21, 1981)Adnan Syed / Age

How old was Adnan Syed when he was convicted?

17Syed was 17 at the time. Mr. Syed, 40, has steadfastly maintained his innocence and is still seeking to be exonerated. An appeals court vacated his conviction in 2018, ruling that he had received ineffective legal counsel, but Maryland's highest court overturned that decision in 2019.

Who is the killer in Serial podcast?

Adnan Syed, the incarcerated subject of the popular podcast "Serial," will get another shot at overturning his murder conviction and life sentence after a court granted his request to reopen his appeal.

What sports did Adnan play?

As per the sources, Adnan is also a good football player. He also played football in his high school days. On February 28, 1999, Adnan got arrested by the police on the charge of first-degree murder.

Can I write to Adnan Syed?

Did you know ANYONE can write a letter of support to Adnan? While he may not have the time a resources to write back to everyone, he does read the letters he receives. Please keep in mind cards and/or postcards are not allowed and will be returned by the facility.

Who is Mr S in serial?

worker Alonzo SellersFebruary 9, 1999: Lee's body is found in Leakin Park Maintenance worker Alonzo Sellers, known as “Mr. S” on Serial, claimed he was drinking a 22-ounce Budweiser while driving when he made a pit stop.

Is Serial podcast coming back?

More Stories by Lesley. Serial season three is getting the TV treatment. HBO is developing an untitled limited series based on the 2018 third season of the podcast that explored the criminal justice system at work in Cleveland. Host Sarah Koenig will exec produce alongside LeBron James and his SpringHill banner.

What happened at the end of Serial podcast?

Early this morning, the news came in that Adnan Syed – the “subject” of the first Serial (nobody can call him the hero, though plainly that is how he is seen) – had been granted a retrial. Legally, this has more significance than it first seems. As his lawyer explained: “The conviction is erased. It's gone.

Is there a new Serial podcast?

The podcast will mark Serial Productions' third release since its sale to the New York Times in the summer of 2020, following Nice White Parents, Chana Joffe-Walt's dive into the American school system through the lens of a single school in Brooklyn, and The Improvement Association, Zoe Chace's investigation into ...

What is Sarah Koenig doing now?

BIOGRAPHY. Sarah Koenig is the host and co-creator of the award-winning podcast Serial, now heading into its fourth season.

A Bar Fight Walks into the Justice Center

A young woman at a bar is slapped on the butt. So why’s she the one in jail?

Pleas Baby Pleas

Don’t tell the judges, but the prosecutors have the most power in the building.

The Snowball Effect

If you listen closely to the trash-talking, you start to get the message.

Who is the host of Serial?

Serial. (podcast) Serial is an investigative journalism podcast hosted by Sarah Koenig, narrating a nonfiction story over multiple episodes. The series was co-created and is co-produced by Koenig and Julie Snyder and developed by This American Life; as of July 2020 it is owned by The New York Times.

Where did serial originate?

The concept for Serial originated with an experiment in Koenig's basement. Koenig and Snyder had pitched a different idea at a staff meeting for a weekly program on events during the previous seven days, which staff members received without enthusiasm. When Ira Glass asked Koenig if she had any other ideas, she mentioned podcasting a story that unfolded over time, a serialized narrative. In an interview with Mother Jones, she explained that each episode would return to the same story, telling the next chapter of a long, true narrative.

How long was Bowe Bergdahl in prison?

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl – held for five years by the Taliban, then released in May 2014 in exchange for Taliban prisoners held in the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. He was court-martialed on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy in December 2015.

Why was Bergdahl offended by the punishment?

Bergdahl was offended by the punishment, feeling the commander was incompetent, and out of control.

What is the purpose of season 3 of Criminal Justice?

Season Three is meant to be an analysis of the normal operation of the American criminal justice system , as opposed to the previous two seasons, which followed "extraordinary" cases. K. Austin Collins of Vanity Fair commented that the third season was "an overarching account of an institution: the criminal-justice system, writ large". Koenig has described Season Three as "a year watching ordinary criminal justice, in the least exceptional, most middle-of-the-road, most middle-of-the-country place we could find: Cleveland." Episodes follow different cases and are taped in Greater Cleveland, with particular focus on cases before the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas at the Justice Center Complex in Downtown Cleveland .

How popular was the first season of Serial?

The first season of Serial was both culturally popular and critically well received. Serial was ranked at No. 1 on iTunes even before it débuted, leading iTunes rankings for over three months, well after the first season ended. It also broke records as the fastest podcast ever to reach 5 million downloads at Apple's iTunes store. David Carr in The New York Times called Serial "Podcasting's first breakout hit." The Guardian characterized it as a "new genre of audio storytelling".

How many times has Serial been downloaded?

As of September 2018, episodes of seasons one and two have been downloaded over 340 million times, establishing an ongoing podcast world record.

Who was Syed's lawyer?

The Maryland Court of Appeals found that Syed received a “deficient performance” from his defense lawyer, the late Cristina Gutierrez, but the weight of the evidence still pointed toward guilt.

Is the case against Adnan Syed on HBO?

An HBO docuseries, "The Case Against Adnan Syed" debuts on Sunday. Hae Min Lee and Adnan Syed at Junior Prom. HBO. Prosecutors asked for the conviction of Syed, now 38, to be reinstated, and Maryland’s high court found in favor of the state.

Was there an alibi witness in the Adnan case?

"There was a credible alibi witness who was with Adnan at the precise time of the murder and now the Court of Appeals has said that witness would not have affected the outcome of the proceeding," according to Brown's statement. "We think just the opposite is true. From the perspective of the defendant, there is no stronger evidence than an alibi witness."

What is serial podcast?

Serial is a podcast from Serial Productions, a New York Times company, hosted by Sarah Koenig. Serial unfolds one story - a true story - over the course of a whole season. The show follows the plot and characters wherever they lead, through many surprising twists and turns. Sarah won't know what happens at the end of the story until she gets there, not long before you get there with her. Each week she'll bring you the latest chapter, so it's important to listen in, starting with Episode 1. New episodes are released on Thursday mornings.

How many episodes of Serial are there?

46 episodes. Serial is a podcast from Serial Productions, a New York Times company, hosted by Sarah Koenig. Serial unfolds one story - a true story - over the course of a whole season. The show follows the plot and characters wherever they lead, through many surprising twists and turns.

Who hosts serial?

Serial is a new podcast from the creators of This American Life, hosted by Sarah Koenig. Serial will follow one story – a true story – over the course of a whole season.

What was the most incriminating piece of evidence against Adnan Syed?

The most incriminating piece of physical evidence against Adnan Syed was a fingerprint, or rather, a palm print. On a map. It was one of those big map books you buy at a gas station, police found it in the backseat of Hae’s car. On the back cover was a partial print of Adnan’s left palm.

Asia's Letter to Adnan, March 1, 1999

This is the first letter Asia wrote to Adnan right after he was arrested. In it, she describes talking to him in the library on the afternoon that Hae disappeared.

Asia's Letter to Adnan, March 2, 1999

Asia's second letter to Adnan. In this one, she gives him a sense of the mood inside Woodlawn High School and the reaction to his arrest.

AT&T Fax Cover Sheet

The cover sheet AT&T included with Adnan’s cell records had a disclaimer on it, which said “Any incoming calls will NOT be reliable information for location.”

Asia's Affidavit, March 25, 2000

Asia wrote this affidavit soon after Adnan was convicted, at the request of Rabia Chaudry, a friend of Adnan's family.

Asia's Notes From a Call With the Prosecutor, 2010

Asia McClain didn’t testify about her alibi affidavit in Adnan’s first post-conviction hearing in 2010. She says prior to the hearing, she contacted prosecutor Kevin Urick to ask him about the case and he gave her the impression Adnan was certainly guilty so she decided not to get involved.

Best Buy Architectural Plans

These architectural plans for the Best Buy on Security Boulevard date from November, 1994. They indicate a place for a payphone in the vestibule.

Hae's note to Don

Detectives found this note from Hae to Don in Hae's car, when they recovered it on February 28, 1999.

When was the call log from Adnan's cell phone?

This is the call log from Adnan's cell phone for January 12 and January 13, 1999. Cell Tower Map. This is a map of the key locations in the story and the cell towers that were triggered by Adnan's cell phone on January 13, 1999. Ja’uan Gordon Interview, April 9, 1999.

Did Asia McClain testify at Adnan's hearing?

Asia's Notes From a Call With the Prosecutor, 2010. Asia McClain didn’t testify about her alibi affidavit in Adnan’s first post-conviction hearing in 2010.

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Overview

Series overview

Koenig has said that Serial is "about the basics: love and death and justice and truth. All these big, big things." She also has noted, "this is not an original idea. Maybe in podcast form it is, and trying to do it as a documentary story is really, really hard. But trying to do it as a serial, this is as old as Dickens."
New York Magazine reported that Phil Lord and Chris Miller, directors of The Lego Movie and the f…

Development and release

The concept for Serial originated with an experiment in Koenig's basement. Koenig and Snyder had pitched a different idea at a staff meeting for a weekly program on events during the previous seven days, which staff members received without enthusiasm. When Ira Glass asked Koenig if she had any other ideas, she mentioned podcasting a story that unfolded over time, a serialized narrative. In an interview with Mother Jones, she explained that each episode would return to th…

Reception

The first season of Serial was both culturally popular and critically well received. Serial was ranked at No. 1 on iTunes even before it débuted, leading iTunes rankings for over three months, well after the first season ended. It also broke records as the fastest podcast ever to reach 5 million downloads at Apple's iTunes store. David Carr in The New York Times called Serial "Podcasting's firs…

Related podcasts

The popularity of Serial and the intrigue of the case it covered has spawned several companion podcasts, such as Crime Writers on Serial, The Serial Serial, and Undisclosed: The State vs. Adnan Syed, the latter produced by Rabia Chaudry. S-Town, a 2017 collaboration between the teams of This American Life and Serial, was released to mixed reviews. Also, Nice White Parents and The Improvement Association were yet other related podcast.

Parodies

Parodies of Serial have targeted the show's style, its fans' obsessive tendencies, Koenig's curiosity and uncertainties, the charts and graphics posted on the show's website, and the podcast's sponsor MailChimp (especially the meme "MailKimp").
• The New Yorker ran a cartoon based on Serial.
• When Koenig appeared on The Colbert Report, Colbert noted that the finale of Serial would be released in competition with Colbert's last episode.

See also

• List of American crime podcasts

External links

• Official website
• Serial on Twitter
• Serial at IMDb

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