Wilds' interview with The Intercept conflicted with testimony he gave during Syed's murder trial, which was reassessed by the Serial podcast. The judgment was delivered after years of wait and thorough examination of the case and evidence presented during his initial trial in 2000. Jays testimonies have many inconsistencies that discredit his reliability on who killed Hae and what actually happened that day. While Wilds pled guilty to accessory after the fact, he served no time. I had a lot more on the line than just a few bags of weed. He calls me and says 'I'm outside,' so I come outside to talk to him and followed him to a different car, not his. "You don't actually have to have the killer's blood or semen. Prosecutors previously said that two other suspects arose in the case, though their names have not been released. Jay is hard to empathize with and his silence suggests that, yeah, something is up. In a shocking reversal, Maryland's highest court announced this month that Syed will not receive a new trial, reinstating his murder conviction and reversing the Court of Special Appeals' decision from last year. "Our criminal justice system is desperately in need of reform. Its in the evening after school, we never hung out in the morning. WebJanuary 12, 1999: Syed gets a new cell phone and calls a bunch of people on it, including Lee. Jan. 13, 1999:Hae Min Lee was reported missing when she didn't pick up her younger cousin from daycare. Wilds is a free man who now lives in California. It also led to theorists and supporters forming a social media movement. Why wasn't it discovered?" That explanation is believablebut increasingly less so when you hear Jay talk about the nature of his relationship with Adnan. But the fact that Wilds' story shifted so much has many "Serial" fans saying he wasn't ever a credible witness. Now he's given us a whole new timeline of the supposed events of that day. Here's that new story compared to the facts we know. Jay says: He went to the mall alone. He admitted lying to the police when he first talked to them, lying in the testimony he gave at trial, lying about what he and Syed did on the day of the murder, lying about where he first saw Lee's body, and lying about what time they went to Leakin Park to bury the body. I might have sat next to him in a class, and joked or something. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He said, 'I'm gonna drive back down there [to the grave]. The case was covered in-depth in the first season of the podcast by host Sarah Koenig. The Intercept has done what Sarah Koenig and Serial couldnt, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I only smoked with him two or three times. WebWilds, who gave police multiple interviews and testified in court, was first questioned on Feb. 28, 1999, just hours before police arrested Syed on suspicion of Lees murder. Episodes raised new questions about the murder conviction. What If a Whole Stand-up Special Were About Peanut Butter? The determination of how much new evidence is enough to merit a new trial falls under the full discretion of the judge, which doesn't usually bode well for the appellant. It was a tense meeting, and an emotional meeting, in fact. For instance, he tells the Intercept that Syed intimated to him that he wanted kill Lee a week before her murder: When did he first talk to you about hurting her? Confronting Satan in a Dark Spanish Castle. Wherever her car was at the time I picked him up from Best Buy, it probably stayed there until he picked me up later that evening. The graphic includes three of the timelines Jay described: his first taped statement to the detectives, his second taped statement to the detectives, and his testimony at the second trial. When Everything Changed: Early 1999 January 13, 1999: Stephanie's birthday, Jays voice doesnt shed light on the murder; it just adds to the accepted confusion. The Baltimore Sun released documents relating to DNA testing that was carried out in the fall of 2018. That's about burying her. pic.twitter.com/k1CioGE2la. That said, the second part of Jays interview does provide tremendous insight into his decision not to speak with Koenig. WebYou know that feeling of being young and experiencing your first love? Both, in fact, are connected. By this time my wife was getting real upset. But hearing from him now is a sharp reminder that while we may all like to play armchair detective when it comes to Serial, there are real lives at stakesand one that was lost. "So that would ruin her life too. Its unsurprising that Jay, as he reveals in part 1 of the interview, is pissed at the way he came across in Serial. And perhaps Syed was actually in possession of his cell phone for much of the day? But the most important points remained (what the prosecution called the "spine" of the case against Syed): Syed called Wilds that afternoon, Wilds saw the body in the trunk, and Wilds helped bury the body in the park. Ahead of tonight's final episode, here's a full timeline laying out the essential facts of Syed's case. But look, if we start speculating what he was thinking that far ahead I don't know. Jay Wilds, the key witness in the state of Marylands case against Adnan Syed, has given an exclusive interview to Natasha Vargas-Cooper of The Intercept. I'm being manipulated into what's being done right now.'". On Tuesday, September 27, ID is scheduled to re-air an updated version of its special, titled Adnan Syed: Overturned, following Syed's release from prison after nearly 23 years. A Baltimore Circuit Judge recently vacated his conviction after evidence of a wrongful conviction surfaced. (Jay admits that at the time, he was running a small marijuana operation that was partially based out of his grandmother's house.). That is his prerogative. If youre attracted to someone on the yacht, the worst thing you can do is tell Gary. He told me it was really painful for him, and he didnt want to go back and revisit this crap., You can understand why Jay didnt trust Koenig. But does this I was talking to one of my friends, who had just recently gotten over a drug addiction, who she tried to talk to about this case. "And people were starting to find out he was a loser, 'Oh, you and Hae aren't together anymore. But I just thought he was just shooting off like everyone else shoots off when they're mad at their girlfriend. When Adnan Syed was detained for murdering Hae Min Lee, he was only 17 years old and was convicted at the age of 18. We get into his car, and he drives up around the corner to Hae's car. Brown questioned the court's assertion that McClain's testimony would not have affected the outcome of the proceedings: "We think just the opposite is true. 5-Down, Eight Letters: Show that gave us New New York. And if it was a Friday, In 2003, Joel (Pedro Pascal) wakes up on his birthday like every other morning, sitting down for breakfast with his 12-year-old daughter, Sarah. But his version of the day of the murder, January 13, 1999, contains key, recurring plot points in many versions of the story. Wilds struck a deal and claimed that Syed asked him to help bury Hae Min's body. I didn't know it was that close. She looked kinda purple, blue, her legs were tucked behind her, she had stockings on, none of her clothes were removed, nothing like that. This is the same day Adnan was arrested - at the age of 17. At 2:25 pm, Lee is last seen buying food at school. Wilds told Vargas-Cooper he felt unfairly depicted by Koenig, and that he wants to correct the record. Some of the things that Jay lied about to the cops actually make a ton of sense. I asked him where we're going and he says, 'Didn't you say everyone gets dumped in Leakin Park?'. Early February, 2016:The post-conviction relief hearing lasted five days. Jay Wilds assumed a private life after playing a pivotal role in the prosecutions case against Adnan Syed. Feb. 28, 1999: Syed was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. His family told Syed over the phone. She then criticized Frosh and investigators for their handling of the case. I dont know if she said something he couldnt handle, and he went off the edge or if he had been seriously speculating about [murder]. Mentally, its hard to compare Jays account of events after weve gained a certain picture that has been corroborated by multiple sources. December 1999:Syed's first trial started but ended in a mistrial after three days. They believed the records showed Jay was in the area near NHRNCathy's apartment. I might have sat next to him in a class, and joked or something. Group, a Graham Holdings Company. From the perspective of the defendant, there is no stronger evidence than an alibi witness.". In the petition, Syeds new attorney, C. Justin Brown, laid out a number of failures on the part of original attorney Cristina Gutierrez. At that time, prosecutors did not completely dismiss the case. Because of him, Adnan was convicted even though Adnan insisted otherwise. This, Brown wrote, showed that the cell tower evidence used against him was unreliable and should have been excluded from trial." Contact Albert Samaha at albert.samaha@buzzfeed.com. That's all he says. Nothing real pointed or anything, not like, 'I know his name,' or 'I caught her.' ". Privacy Policy and Doja Cat Becomes an Actual Cat for Met Gala. Adnan Syed's prolonged legal battle has become the subject of many documentaries and shows over the years. The court ruled in a 4-to-3 decision that while Syed's defense lawyer had been "deficient" in not calling Asia McClain to testify, her deficiency was not enough to "prejudice" the outcome of the trial. From the day Syed met Lee to his release from prison more than twenty years later, below we chronicle the main events. A Complete Timeline of The Case Against Adnan Syed, What to Know About 'The Hunger Games' Prequel. Syeds conviction for the murder of Hae Min Lee was the subject of the This American Life spinoff podcast Serial, hosted by Sarah Koenig, which aired this fall. By the end, The wait is over: Netflix has finally commissioned a second season of Wednesday. I follow him halfway back down the hill, park, smoke some cigarettes. Adnan left and then returned to my house several hours later, closer to midnight in his own car. It takes him about half an hour, 45 minutes, and he comes back with gloves on, panting, like, 'She was really heavy.' I'm pretty sure it was my fear of going to prison for having a bunch of weed in my grandma's house. He was cleared after DNA results cleared Syed. Jay Wilds, who swore he helped Adnan bury Haes body. I think the simplest pitch I can make to you is: You have a story about what happened to you, and you should be the one to tell itYoure in the documentary either way, so it just seems more respectful and fair to you to let you tell what happened, rather than having me piece it together from whatever I can glean from the record. Seven bodies found just hours after Amber Alert for two missing girls, 'Cult mom' Lori Vallow's hair found on duct tape used to wrap son's body, Inside Jeffrey Epstein's private calendar including meeting with Noam Chomsky, Heartbroken family launch new lawsuit against Walmart over son's death, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Jay Wilds is a key witness in Adnan Syed's murder trial. His details on what they did with the body and what he and Adnan did that day were striking. He left in his car and I was trying to collect myself at my [grandmother's] house. I don't feel comfortable drawing conclusions like that. Please enter valid email address to continue. Met Gala 2023: Lil Nas Xs Whole Body is Covered in Nothing But Jewels, Silver Paint and a Thong, Maria Menounos Reveals Lingering Physical Effects of Brain Tumor Surgery, VMAs Host Katy Perry References Handmaids Tale and the Apocalypse, Kal Penn Reveals Why Arts and Humanities Committee Resigned, Jock Zonfrillo, Chef and 'MasterChef Australia' Judge, Dies at 46, John Oliver Mocks Matthew McConaughey's Five-Hour Virtual Motivational Seminar, Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian Singer/Songwriter, Dies at 84, Kiss Paul Stanley Says Encouraging Kids to Gender Transition is a Dangerous Fad, White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Gayle King, April Ryan Celebrate Diverse Voices in Political Journalism During White House Correspondents Dinner Weekend, Rock Icons Aerosmith to Launch Farewell Tour, Willie Nelson Turns 90: Keith Richards Joins Hollywood Bowl Bash, Jock Zonfrillo, Chef and MasterChef Australia Judge, Dies at 46, The Best Gifts for Women Who Love Fashion, Beauty, Tech and More, Channel Your Inner Queen Charlotte with This Star-Loved British Brands Exclusive Skincare Kit, Naomi Watts Just Wore These Under-$100 PJs from Two Star-Loved Brands And Theyre the Perfect Mothers Day Gift for Stylish Travelers, The Best Signet Rings for Adding a Red Carpet-Ready Touch to Your Jewelry Stack, Everyone Is Just Scrambling: Hollywood on Edge as Writers Guild Talks Go Down to the Wire, Succession Director on Filming That Surprise Cameo and Tying Up Her Kendall Trilogy, James Gunns Guardians: How Chris Pratt and His Marvel Castmates Rescued Their Directors Career, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. Greg Warren dared to go where no comedian has gone before. But he didn't call me unless he needed something. After buying the gift, he says he went to his friend Jenn's house, then he says Syed called him, asking him to pick him up at Best Buy, where Syed apparently confesses to Wilds of killing Lee: Let's back up, tell me what happened when you arrived at the Best Buy to pick up Adnan. Wait, what the hell? Now that the case has resurfaced, after progressing on the sidelines for over two decades, let's explore the timeline of events and key details surrounding the case that led to the overturning of Adnan Syed's life sentence. Youre a person who went through a traumatic thingEven just meeting you yesterday for that short time, hearing you talk so forcefully about what you saw, and about Adnans guiltfor both Julie and me, that was powerful and clarifying.. It was at least a week before she died, when he found out she was either cheating on him or leaving him, Jay says in the interview. Serial closed its 12-episode season with Sarah Koenig telling us Adnan Syed shouldnt have been convicted, though she didnt say he was innocent. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. Things you buy through our links may earnVox Mediaa commission. June 30, 2016:According to court records, Syed's request for a new trial was granted and his conviction was vacated, ruling that his initial defense attorney, Cristina Gutierrez, "rendered ineffective assistance when she failed to cross-examine the state's expert regarding the reliability of cell tower location evidence. Syed's release on September 19, 2022, was attributed to various factors, including the prosecution losing faith in Wilds' testimony. Was he just trying to buy sympathy now? Did you go to Leakin Park immediately after agreeing to help? Adnan, who was 17 at the time, was the main suspect in the murder. In fact, my "gut" suggests this is the case, but that and $20 will get you a 10 ounce beer at Wrigley Field. Hae and Adnan were broken up since December, and Adnan and Don worked together when Haes car got in an accident. For every proven wrongful conviction, there are hundreds more where the truth is not so clear and the burden is of proof is too high. Syeds The podcast planted doubts in the minds of millions surrounding Syed's years-old conviction while also raising questions around Jay's witness testimony and portraying him as a weed dealer. Jay from Serial interview offers new timeline, other details. Once the police made it clear that my drug dealing wasn't gonna affect the outcome of what was going on, I became a little bit more transparent. She loves owls, hates cilantro, and can find the queer subtext in literally anything. Speaking of key prosecution witness Jay Wilds, Chaudry said, For most of the last ten years Ive thought its him. Koenig never comes remotely close to articulating this latter option, but the thought has probably crossed every listeners mind (and certainly is a theory espoused over Reddit). "I stonewalled them [police]until they told me they weren't trying to prosecute me for selling weed, or trying to get any of my friends in trouble," Wilds told the Intercept. In the first of a multi-part interview with The Intercept's Natasha Vargas-Cooper, Jay Wilds describes how he first came to meet Syed at Woodlawn High School in Baltimore. Her lips were quivering, and I just felt like she was lyingIt was confusing because they also pitched this story to me as a documentary, and they wanted to put me on video. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us. He just started opening up. Your login session has expired. But this latest version of events is confusing rather than clarifying, another who-the-heck-knows account superimposed over recalcitrant cell phone records and diverging testimonies. Furthermore, two other potential suspects who could have murdered Hae Min Lee in 1999 have surfaced recently in the course of the case's development. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. Syed was arrested at his home by Baltimore police in the early hours of the morning, and charged with first-degree murder as an adulteven though he was only 17 at the time. In January, an appeal hearing will determine whether he qualifies for post-conviction relief. (And to followers of the podcast, Wilds' version would also appear to place Adnan in possession of the phone during the ballyhooed Nisha call. "In part because they occur later in time than the original testimony, and because they are going up against testimony that was under oath.". Wilds' testimony in the murder trial was central to the conviction of Syed due to the nature of his account of events. "Jay From 'Serial' Gave An Interview That Might Actually Help Adnan Syed," read a headline on this website. But that does not mean there is enough doubt to overturn a conviction.
Lancaster Castle Famous Prisoners,
Fielding Funeral Home Obituaries,
Articles J