Hae Min Lee

“Adnan’s Story: The search for truth and justice after Serial” By Rabia Chaudry

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This book fills in the gaps between Serial and Undisclosed. Chaudry opens up about her life and her connection with Adnan. We get to see a Muslim perspective for the first time, which plays a bigger role than we are lead to believe in Serial. We get to read Adnan’s letters to family and Sara Koenig. After reading this book, I felt like I had a much better understanding of who Adnan is as a person. And a much better understanding of everything that he and his loved ones have been through because of his conviction. And of course it makes you wonder what things would be like if this case had been investigated thoroughly all those years ago, would Adnan even be in prison? Justice for Hae would most likely mean justice for Adnan. Chaudry offers some thoughts and theories about what actually happened. At the end of the day it is all speculation. But what I do believe is that the State would not be able to convict Adnan again. Not with the whole world watching and taking notes. That is the silver lining in all the wrongful convictions that seem to be coming to light in the recent years. People are finally paying attention.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” -MLK Jr.

Undisclosed

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After Serial season one, you are left wondering about what actually happened on January 13, 1999. Did Adnan kill Hae? Well I can’t say for certain since only Hae and her killer know without a doubt. But the Undisclosed team (Rabia Chaudry, Colin Miller, and Susan Simpson) rip the State’s case to shreds. So much information is provided in this podcast, that it sometimes felt like I was in a lecture and should be taking notes for the exam. I mean that as a complement since this group of lawyers really dedicated their time and effort to Adnan’s case. So much so that Adnan has been granted a new trail as of June 30, 2016. You get to listen to the information they have on the case, their theories, and the long process of getting Adnan a new trial. They simplify complicated legal terms and make you feel like you are so smart and should consider a career in law. The team also takes on other cases like: The State V. Joey Watkins, The State V. Gary Mitchum Reeves, The killing of Freddie Grey, and The State V. Jamar Huggins. Overall, great podcast and educational as well. If Undisclosed still doesn’t satisfy your Adnan curiosity, you should read the book.

My Next recommendation… Adnan’s Story: The search for truth and justice after Serial.

Serial

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I am starting off my long list of recommendations with what some might say is the most mainstream and influential true crime podcast in the history of podcasts. For those of you who have never heard of it, Serial is a 12 episode podcast hosted by Sarah Koenig and developed by This American Life. Its first season investigates the murder of Hae Min Lee. On January 13, 1999 Hae Min Lee; an 18-year-old high school senior at Woodlawn High School in Baltimore, was last seen around 3:00pm. Her body was then found in Leakin Park on February 9, 1999. Her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was arrested and charged for her murder later that month. Then he was convicted with a life sentence a year later. Adnan and his family have always maintained his innocence. A decade and a half later a family friend and attorney, Rabia Chaudry, reaches out to Sarah Koenig and asks her to take a look at his case. Koenig investigates for a year and is able to interview Adnan himself. What she finds is an infinite amount of unanswered questions. Why was there so little physical evidence? Why did the key witness, Jay Wilds, have such a conflicting and constantly changing story? Why did Jay know where Hae’s car was? Why would Jay confess to taking part of a murder if it wasn’t true? Why can’t Adnan remember what he did that day? Where is Asia McClain, the girl who could potentially be Adnan’s alibi, and why didn’t she testify in his trail? If Adnan didn’t kill Hae, then who did? Koenig is a great storyteller and keeps the listener in constant intrigue. She gives just enough information to keep you thinking and lets you build your own theories in your mind. There’s ambiguity in every episode and the whole series leaves you wanting more answers. I loved this podcast and I highly recommend it to everyone I know. But having looked further into Adnan’s case, I’ve realized how much information there is and how little Koenig touched on. I understand why she did this but at the same time it makes me feel like I was lied to in a way. So please listen and enjoy but dig deeper.

This leads me to my next recommendation…Undisclosed.