Pay attention Serial fans – the Adnan Syed case could see a big development this week

Before Making a Murderer, there was Serial.

Just like the Netflix documentary, the first season of radio podcast Serial followed a murder case with question marks over a number of issues. Just like Steven Avery, Adnan Syed was - in the eyes of many - wrongfully convicted. And now the former Baltimore high school student may be set for a new trial. Syed was still a teenager when a jury sentenced him to life in prison plus 30 years for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. But Serial raised the issue of whether his lawyer at trial hindered his defence by (among other things) not calling upon a key alibi witness. Vice News reports that Syed's new lawyer will present fresh evidence, including bringing the alibi witness in question, in an attempt to bring about a brand new trial. The case may still have a long way to go, but whatever way you look at it this week is significant.