NEW HOPE

Big Case Break for 'Serial' Subject

Asia McClain's testimony to be allowed.

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled in favor of a request for post-conviction relief from Adnan Syed, the subject of the popular "Serial" podcast, effectively allowing a new evidentiary hearing on Monday. The ruling paves way for testimony by Syed's high school friend Asia McClain, who was never called to testify at his 1999 trial but provides an alibi for Syed in the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. Syed, who is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, argues that McClain's missing testimony was detrimental to his case by his original attorney, who has since died. McClain filed an affidavit in 2000 establishing Syed's alibi and also one earlier this year contending former Assistant State's Attorney Kevin Urick suppressed her testimony at Syed's 2010 appeal.