The Latest: Family of victim disappointed in judge's ruling

BALTIMORE – The Latest on a judge's decision to order a new trial for a man at the center of the popular podcast "Serial" (all times local):

1:00 p.m.

The family of a murder victim in Maryland says they are "very disappointed" in a judge's decision to order a new trial for the man at the center of the popular podcast "Serial."

In a statement issued Friday through the Maryland attorney general's office, relatives of Hae Min Lee say they believe justice was done when Adnan Syed was convicted of killing his former high school girlfriend. He was sentenced to life in prison for the 1999 killing of Lee.

The family says while they do not speak as often or as loudly as those who support Syed, they care just as much about the case. They also say they hope the judge's decision is reversed.

The family says it continues to grieve, and they are expressing gratitude to supporters and the state "for standing by the true victims and for giving Hae Min Lee a voice."

___

4:23 a.m.

After spending 16 years in prison, a man convicted of murder who was at the center of the podcast "Serial" has won a new trial in Baltimore.

Adnan Syed was convicted of murdering his former high school girlfriend Hae Min Lee in 1999 and burying her in a park. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Martin Welch ruled Thursday that Syed deserves another trial because his attorney failed to cross-examine a cell tower expert about the reliability of data that placed Syed's cellphone near the burial site.

Syed's case was widely publicized by "Serial." The podcast attracted millions of listeners by showcasing little-known evidence and raising questions about Syed's guilt.