A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge on Monday approved the state's motion to vacate the murder conviction of Adnan Syed (previous coverage available here).
Syed, 41, appeared in court Monday afternoon after Baltimore City prosecutors filed a motion last week to vacate his murder conviction.
Syed is accused of killing Lee in 1999 and was subject of the popular podcast, "Serial." His first trial ended in a mistrial. A jury convicted him in a second trial. Syed had been in jail since his arrest in February 1999.
The Baltimore City Circuit Court stated: "In the interest of judgment and fairness, the state's motion to vacate judgment ... is hereby granted. The defendant will be released and placed on remote monitoring ... The state will have 30 days to refile or nolle pros. At this time, we will remove the shackles off of Mr. Syed."
Syed kept his hands on his lap and looked forward during the hearing. His attorney was wiping tears from her eyes while the judge announced her decision. He did not say anything as he left the courthouse, but his attorney said Syed is grateful to start rebuilding his free life and asks for privacy so he can start to heal.