And perhaps Syed was actually in possession of his cell phone for much of the day? As fans of Serial might expect, Jay reiterates the same basic story he told at trial Adnan killed Hae alone, then Jay helped him bury her body with a few changes to the timeline that could either mean everything, or nothing. His family told Syed over the phone. According to reports, Gutierrez interpreted a statement by the judge as tantamount to accusing her of lying. WJZ compiled a timeline of events from the 1999 death of Lee to when Syed's charges were dropped. Jay Wilds is a former classmate of Adnan Syed from Baltimore, Maryland. Like if a car goes by, and I jump out and wave at them saying, 'Hey, this is a murderer right here.' The Intercept has done what Sarah Koenig and Serial couldnt: get Jay Wilds to talk on the record about the murder of Hae Min Lee, which Jay swore in court was the work of Haes ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed. He stresses over and over again during the interview that he was convinced the cops would nail him for drugs eventually and that Adnan held Jays pot dealings over him to force him into being an accessory to Haes murder. Who is Jay Wilds? | The US Sun Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: As part of your account, youll receive occasional updates and offers from New York, which you can opt out of anytime. Its in the evening after school, we never hung out in the morning. I don't know what happened, what occurred between them that day. When Adnan Syed was detained for murdering Hae Min Lee, he was only 17 years old and was convicted at the age of 18. The band have become the very thing their critics accuse them of. In the petition, Syeds new attorney, C. Justin Brown, laid out a number of failures on the part of original attorney Cristina Gutierrez. What about the content, the facts, the evidence? Just normal conversation like, 'I think she's fucking around. Timeline Of Adnan Syed Murder Case From 1999 To Release "Judges may put a finger on the scale against do-overs," said Garrett. February 12th, 1999 Anonymous call from Asian male comes in to Police, telling them to focus on ex-boyfriend. said Drizin. In The Case Against An appeals panel of seven judges heard oral arguments relating to the final appeal in Syeds case. We were left to chew this all over. Yes. As detailed in Serial, Wilds told police that he had helped Syed bury Lees body and hide her car, while Pusateri said that Wilds had also confessed this to her. He was just laughing," said Syed's brother, Yusuf Syed. The two then spend about 40 minutes digging a grave, but Wilds' refuses to touch Lee's body; Wilds claims Syed buried Lee by himself. January 13, 1999: Stephanie's birthday, prompting Syed to go shopping for a present with her boyfriend, Jay Wilds. More importantly, was he going to add to our understanding of Haes murder? However, the police had a cell phone tower map that was either incorrect or they misinterpreted. I was pretty distraught, fucked up, feeling guilty for not saying nothing. Koenig is not sure what to believe. I saw the ATF and DEA take down guys in my neighborhood for selling much less than I was at the time. I dont know what occurred between [Hae and Adnan] that day, he says. "Nearly 15 years ago, the prosecution argued to the jury that it should ignore the 'inconsistencies' in Wilds' statements that the 'spine' of his story remained the same," Rabia Chaudry, Syed's main advocate, wrote in The Guardian. Unfortunately for Syed, it's not that simple. "In part because they occur later in time than the original testimony, and because they are going up against testimony that was under oath.". 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. Jay He also describes how he felt Koenig was on the offensive. WebOn January 13th, 1999, a seventeen year old student in Baltimore, Hae, disappears after school one afternoon. He never said anything like, 'Hey, what gauge gun should I use?' 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. When did you two get closer to each other? Arguments in the post-conviction relief case were heard in October of 2012, and two months later, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City denied Syeds petition for relief. It also led to theorists and supporters forming a social media movement. After the Intercept interview, it seemed like the most important witness in the state's case had undermined his own credibility. This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. Maybe it's a good thing that people are introduced to this fact of life in the criminal justice system. 2) Syed was found guilty by a jury in "Why did you agree to help Adnan bury Hae?" He quickly became the centerpiece of their case, despite changing his testimony multiple times. "And people were starting to find out he was a loser, 'Oh, you and Hae aren't together anymore. And it's hard to imagine, right now, how anyone could be free of doubt about Jay's testimony," Vox's Ezra Klein wrote in an article headlined "Jay's Interview Shreds the Case Against Adnan Syed.". That said, the second part of Jays interview does provide tremendous insight into his decision not to speak with Koenig. The case first received national attention in 2014 the hit podcast "Serial" raised questions about the prosecution. To listeners, Adnan is a real human while Jay remains an abstract figure. Syeds We are frustrated that this process has dragged on so long, Brown wrote in an online update. Wilds's testimony played a giant part in convicting Syed of murdering his high school girlfriend, Hae Min Lee in 1999. Adnan, who was 17 at the time, was the main suspect in the murder. We got in his car and start driving. Serial closed its 12-episode season with Sarah Koenig telling us Adnan Syed shouldnt have been convicted, though she didnt say he was innocent. May 18, 2015:The Maryland Court of Special Appeals gave the case to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. None of the samples tested positive for either Syed or Wilds's DNA. Adnan Syed, center, sits in front of Hae Min Lee during their high school days. One of his classmates, Jay Wilds, claimed that he confessed to the killing. After jurors accidentally overheard an exchange in which the judge called Syeds attorney Cristina Gutierrez a liar," a mistrial was declared. March 10, 2019:HBO premiered a mini-documentary series"The Case Against Adnan Syed.". Mentally, its hard to compare Jays account of events after weve gained a certain picture that has been corroborated by multiple sources. How The Intercept Landed Serials Star By this time my wife was getting real upset. By Ken Kurson 12/30/14 9:22pm. But in real life, of course youre more than just a states witness. It's just on the street. "Because courts are deferential to that finding of guilt, the evidence that was used to convict the person tends to be presumed correct.". Brown submitted a supplement to the motion to reopen based on new information that attorney Susan Simpson had uncovered about the reliability of cell tower evidence. Given that the supernatural series became the streamers second most, Emily Coopers life is a mess. The judgment was delivered after years of wait and thorough examination of the case and evidence presented during his initial trial in 2000. WebJay's first story was that he was somewhere near his mother's house around 4:30 - 5:00. I said, 'Drug dealers, people who get killed by drug dealers,' and I'm thinking to myself, 'When did I ever say that?' http://t.co/EOJCykQfxG pic.twitter.com/riOdWechHF, Brett LoGiurato (@BrettLoGiurato) December 29, 2014, Why does Jay keep changing his story? He characterizes Adnan as a little pompous, a little arrogant really driven as far as academics more uptight than the other Muslim kids that I knew. He and Adnan werent close, he says, echoing Syeds own account of their relationship: There was never a real friendship. He remembers Lee, meanwhile, as independent and mature. Though Wilds tells Vargas-Cooper it isnt his job to speculate on Syeds motives, he cant help doing so a little bit anyway, positing that the man he helped convict just couldnt come to grips with being a loser and failing. I might have sat next to him in a class, and joked or something. If you can make head or tails of this latest swerve in the Serial universe, let us know. 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. On paper, in the trial transcript, youre two-dimensional. Wilds never spoke on tape with Serial's host, Sarah Koenig, but after the podcast's final episode, he granted an interview to The Intercept, published in three parts last week. Addressing the Asia McClain complaint specifically, the written decision read as follows: It appears that trial counsel was made aware of Ms. McClain and made a strategic decision not to pursue her for the purpose of an alibi. In other words, the court ruled that not calling or investigating McClain was a strategic move on Gutierrezs part, and not evidence of inadequate assistance of counsel. Some of this isnt quite fair. 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. ". Its unsurprising that Jay, as he reveals in part 1 of the interview, is pissed at the way he came across in Serial. He left in his car and I was trying to collect myself at my [grandmother's] house. 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. Privacy Policy and This week, in an interview with The Intercept, Jay Wilds came forward with his account of the January day in 1999 when Hae Min Lee was murdered. Syed's classmate Jay Wilds, who said at trial that he helped Syed bury Lee's body, became the central figure in the national conversation over Syed's guilt. I don't know whether he calls me when he's on his way back to my house, or if he calls me right outside the house. And then he popped the trunk and I saw Hae's body. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. Adnan also never describes himself as especially close with Jay, which begs the question: Why would Adnan choose Jay of all people to help him out with a murder? Syed, who was a 17-year-old student at Woodlawn High School, was charged in the death of 18-year-old Lee, and found guilty of first-degree murder in 2000. Syed was put on trial in February 2000 and was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend Wilds, Syed's former classmate, who claimed to have assisted the accused in disposing of Lee's body, stood out as the key witness in the accused's trial. The trial, which resulted in a life sentence that was later overturned - has been reinstated on the basis that Maryland violated the victim's family's right to attend the hearing. All rights reserved. The cell phone records show he was in the area. Just normal conversation like, I think shes fucking around. In 2000, a jury determined that Adnan Syed was responsible for the murder, kidnapping, robbery, and false imprisonment of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee's murder. In that situation, he was the loser," Wilds told the Intercept. Timeline explored: 5 key details about the Adnan Syed case. I made him smoke one time, he got a little high, got a little weird. I firmly believe Jenn Pusateri and Jay Wilds were victims, in a sense, victims of bad police work and provided false testimony under duress and coercion from the state. He then claims that the two are together and leaving Best Buy for Wilds' friend "Cathy's" house (her name was changed for the podcast) between 3 and 4 p.m., which would put Syed in possession or capable of making the "Nisha Call" at 3:32 p.m.Nisha being a friend of only Syed and not Wilds. I had a lot more on the line than just a few bags of weed. Following a rare 2014 interview with Natasha She then criticized Frosh and investigators for their handling of the case. 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. That is his prerogative. But his version of the day of the murder, January 13, 1999, contains key, recurring plot points in many versions of the story. Wilds says his portrayal in Serial as a "petty weed dealer" was inaccurate and that the stakes for him were larger than the podcast reported: It wasn't just like I was selling a nickel bag here and there. After the guilty verdict, the burden of proof flips to the accused. Jay March 8, 2019:In a split 43 ruling, the Court of Appeals reversed the findings of the lower courts, denying Syed's request for a new trial, court records show. It was supposed to be a mental lull for Serial devotees and conspiracy theorists, before the gap between podcast fandom and real life court system machinations collided. "We are devastated by the Court of Appeals decision but we will not give up on Adnan Syed," Brown wrote in a statement. Because Jay doesnt seem quite like a real person in Serial, it is easy to forget how jarring this podcast must have been for him and how it upturned not only his life, but his wife and childrensand also his friends lives. Greg Warren dared to go where no comedian has gone before. On December 23, he posted on his Facebook profile that he was ready to be interviewed to answer the question of the people who I hope are concerned with the death of Hae Min Lee (the person whos paid the ultimate price for Entertainment) and to out this so called reporter for who she truly is.. Feb. 28, 1999:Syed was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Oct. 3 to Dec. 18, 2014:Syed's case, and the murder of Lee, prompted thefirst season of the popular "Serial" podcast. Baltimore Circuit Judge Melissa Phinn overturned Syed's conviction after nearly 23 years, passing the judgment that he was wrongly convicted. Who Is Jay Wilds? Everything You Need To Know About The Key They imprisoned the wrong man. NOTHING was matched to Syed, Brown confirmed on Twitter. In his written decision, Judge Welch noted that reopening the post-conviction proceedings would be in the interest of justice for all parties.". Jay from Serial interview offers new timeline, other details. This is why Wilds' Intercept interview might not matter at all in Syed's legal efforts. Heres a link to the full text. I don't remember ever going to any kinds of functions or endeavors together, or any concerts or clubs together, you know. Wilds was Syed's classmate at Woodlawn High School in Baltimore. Feb. 28, 1999: Syed was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Getting them in trouble for anything that they knew or that I had told themI couldn't have that." While the court agreed Syed's legal counsel was deficient, they found it was not enough to have swayed the jury to change their decision because the evidence against him was so strong. Be the first one to comment on this story. Didn't say that much. Sept. 28, 2022:The family ofHae Min Lee filed a notice of appealin an attempted to reverse a Maryland judge's decision tovacate the murder convictionof Syed. January 2000:Syed's second trial started and continued for six weeks. Remembering one of fashions most problematic faves, Karl Lagerfeld. In his full written opinion, Welch noted that Jay Wildss testimony was inconsistent with the States version of events, and that Gutierrez rendered ineffective assistance when she failed to cross-examine the state's expert regarding the reliability of cell tower location evidence. Given that such a cross-examination could have led to a different outcome, Welch concluded that Syed should be granted a new trial. Wilds alleged that Syed had told him he had murdered Lee. The Deal With Serials Jay? Hes Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline Jay chose not to talk. The enigma who at best gave inconsistent testimony and at worst put an innocent teen behind bars, says Serial doesnt change what he saw: I saw Hae dead in the trunk of the car.. He knew I was afraid of that. Things you buy through our links may earnVox Mediaa commission. Lee had Series: The Case Against Adnan Syed Episode Two I also ran the operation out of my grandmother's house and that also put my family at risk. Jay Wilds In Jays new telling, he did pick Adnan up from the Best Buy parking lot, but didnt see Haes body until later, in front of his grandmothers house. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. But look, if we start speculating what he was thinking that far ahead I don't know. While many different things aided the process, one key factor was Sarah Koenig and her podcast, titled Serial, which covered the subject earlier in 2014 for its first ever season, as it garnered the attention of millions. Syed was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years on February 25, 2000, for first-degree murder,kidnapping, false imprisonment and robbery. That explanation is believablebut increasingly less so when you hear Jay talk about the nature of his relationship with Adnan. Jay Wilds and Adnan Syed may not have been close, but Wilds' witness testimony would ultimately be key to convicting Syed of Hae Min Lee's murder. Wilds told Vargas-Cooper he felt unfairly depicted by Koenig, and that he wants to correct the record. The Court of Special Appeals' said that Syed's counsel failed to contact a potential alibi witness who could "have raised a reasonable doubt in the mind of at least one juror. It takes him about half an hour, 45 minutes, and he comes back with gloves on, panting, like, 'She was really heavy.' "Once a person has been convicted at trial he is no longer presumed innocent," Brandon Garrett, a University of Virginia law professor who serves on the advisory board for the National Registry of Exonerations, told BuzzFeed News. On March 28, 2023, Syed's original conviction was reinstated on claims that Hae Min Lee's family was not given sufficient notice of the hearing, which barred them from attending the hearing in person. As for why he helped Adnan in the first place, Jay says now that Adnan threatened to tell the police he was dealing drugs: I was convinced I would be going to jail for a long time if he turned me in for drug dealing, especially to high school kids., Unlike the devoted Serial obsessives, Jays claims that he doesnt get too caught up in the minutiae of what happened the day Hae was killed. All contents #Serial, jasoncherkis (@jasoncherkis) December 29, 2014, @serials Jay Wilds speaks, adds more confusion. Albert Samaha is a senior culture reporter at BuzzFeed News and author of two books, "Concepcion: Conquest, Colonialism, and an Immigrant Family's Fate" and "Never Ran, Never Will: Boyhood and Football in a Changing American Inner City." You follow me some of the way, and then I'll take care of it.'. That's about burying her. 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. Adnan Syed Case - 1068 Words | Cram He was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years. Eighteen-year-old Hae Min Lee was reported missing by her family after she failed to pick up her younger cousin from elementary school on the afternoon of January 13. "I didn't trust him at first, since he wasn't like the people I knew pot smokers you know? Nov. 6, 2015:A Baltimore City judge ordered that Syed's post-conviction relief proceedings, to determine his eligibility for a new trial, would be re-opened, according to court records. Early February, 2016:The post-conviction relief hearing lasted five days. She kept saying, Its going to be in your interest to talk to me, and that just started to feel like a threat, like if I didnt talk to her it was going to be bad news for me.. Jay, on the other hand, had to recount the events of that day numerous times for the police and prosecutors. March 10, 2022: Baltimore City prosecutors agreed to new DNA testing that Syed's lawyers believed could clear his name. Koenig does an excellent job of showing how shitty humans are at remembering things and how easy it is for our minds to garble basic facts. pic.twitter.com/k1CioGE2la. Syed's lawyer, C. Justin Brown, filed a motion on Aug. 24, 2015, saying that a newly recovered document showed that the cell tower evidence used by prosecutors was misleading and should not have been admitted at trial. To be fair, the main characters life in Netflixs Emily In Paris has always been a mess, as the series two previou, The Power (And Risks) Of Therapy On Reality TV, Can Someone Please Get A Licensed Therapist On The Set Of, All The Biggest Moments From The 2023 BRIT Awards, defense attorney that prosecutor Kevin Urick, Lee's family releases a heartbreaking statement, Maryland Court of Appeals hears arguments. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, His interview raises more questions than answers for devotees of the popular podcast. Jay Wilds Jay Wilds, the key witness in the murder trial featured on the podcast Serial, finally gave his first interview and now the podcasts fans are questioning his account of what happened the day he says Adnan Syed killed Hae Min Lee. Syed was previously sentenced to life in prison. The new appeal was for post-conviction relief on the basis that Syed had inadequate assistance of counsel during his trial. I'm pretty sure it was my fear of going to prison for having a bunch of weed in my grandma's house. It was at least a week before she died, when he found out she was either cheating on him or leaving him. He has not been exonerated as of yet. Her body was discovered by authorities about a month later in Baltimore's Leakin Park. Where is Jay Wilds now? His secretive life detailed - OkayBliss