Md. court allows subject of 'Serial' podcast to pursue appeal of murder conviction

FILE -In this Dec. 10, 2014 file photo, Prison artwork created by Adnan Syed sits near family photos in the home of his mother, Shamim Syed, in Baltimore. Syed, the subject of the popular podcast “Serial” will be allowed to appeal his murder conviction, a Maryland court has ruled. Adnan Syed, 34, was convicted in 2000 of strangling his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, the year prior, when both were high school students in suburban Baltimore. “Serial” examined the case in detail and raised questions about Syed’s guilt and whether he received a fair trial. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2014 file photo, Shamim Syed, left, whose son Adnan was convicted for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend poses for a photograph alongside her son Yusef in her home in Baltimore. Adam Syed, the subject of the popular podcast “Serial” will be allowed to appeal his murder conviction, a Maryland court has ruled. Syed, 34, was convicted in 2000 of strangling his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, the year prior, when both were high school students in suburban Baltimore. “Serial” examined the case in detail and raised questions about Syed’s guilt and whether he received a fair trial. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (The Associated Press)

A Maryland court will allow the subject of the popular podcast "Serial" to appeal his murder conviction.

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals approved Adnan Syed's application for leave of appeal on Friday.

The 34-year-old Syed was convicted in 2000 of strangling his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. Both were high school students in suburban Baltimore at the time of her death. "Serial" examined the case in detail and questioned whether Syed was guilty and had received a fair trial.

Syed argues that the attorney who represented him ignored his requests to negotiate a plea deal. He also says she failed to interview a witness who could have provided him with an alibi.

Prosecutors have argued that Syed only started complaining about his trial attorney after he was convicted.