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Proving Adnan Syed’s Innocence
Photo of Adnan Syed and victum Hae Min Lee
nypost.comIntroduction
After listening the the first episode of “Serial”, the podcast about the murder Hae Min Lee, I was intruiged and decided to take a deeper look at the case. I found it very weird how there were different stories from different people in the podcast that didn’t line up. Considering how the case is based on memories of the day Lee was murdered I found it hard to believe that Adnan was found guilty as there seemed to be no solid evidence against him. Syed was just recently released from prison which brings up a lot of questions including, was he really guilty or was thid a case of injustice?
Adnan Syed walking out of the courthouse after being released
nytimes.comI believe that Adnan Syed was a victum of injustice and was not guilty. This case and it’s evidence was almost strictly based on memory. At the beginning of the very first episode of the podcast, Koenig shows how it’s extremely hard to remember days that were uneventful. This is true but for days that something important, exciting, and or eventful occured it’s much easier to remember details about the day. When listening to the interview with Syed, it is clear that he can not remember much from that day, only small details.
“I know how it sounds when I can’t remember the day she was murdered, how it’s convinient for my case but I just genuinely can’t remember”
Adnan SyedThis helps to prove Koenig’s point that it’s harder to remember uneventful days from the past.
The Other Man
There is another prime suspect with this case who was Adnan’s friend at the time of the murder, Jay Wilds. I believe that Jay was the real murderer and not Syed. When listening to the interview with Jay, unlike Adnan, he remembers that day very clearly with specific details. This brings up the question of if this day was eventful or if something eventful happened on the day Lee was murdered for Jay. As we’ve seen it be proved multiple times that days that are average are hard to remember. The fact that Jay seems to be choosing his words carefully and can clearly remember details makes him much more of a suspect than Syed.
To read more about Jay Wilds click below https://thespeakernewsjournal.com/entertainment/jay-wilds-real-star-serial/
Photo of Jay Wilds
thespeakernewsjournal.comThe Alibi
When given the time that Hae Min Lee was murdered, police asked Adnan where he was at that time. He respoded by telling them he would usually go to the library after school at that time. This was his alibi but it needed to be proved. There was one witness who said she definitely saw Adnan at the library that day when Lee would’ve been murdered, her name is Asia McClain. This is a clear witness to Syed’s alibi and due to the lack of video evidence should’ve proven his innocence. Despite this witness willing to speak out in court for Syed’s case, his lawer did not talk to her and was later fired after complaints from different clients. I think this evenn further proves his innocence because he had a sub par lawer who didn’t take the time to talk to a clear witness to his alibi.
To read more about Asia McClain click here.
Photo of Asia McClain
abcnews.go.comIn conclusion I truly believe that Adnan Syed was wrongly convicted of the murder of Hae Min Lee. Syed couldn’t remember the day hardly at all meaning it was likely an uneventful day for him whereas his friend Josh, who I suspect is the real murderer, could remember every little detail. Adnan had a clear alibi with a witness, Asia McClain who was willing to speak out on his innocence, and he also had a careless lawyer who didn’t take the time to bring in the alibi witness and was eventually fired. All this evidence points to the conclusion that this was a case of injustice.
Works Cited
Harshavardan, Rathan. “Rathan Harshavardan.” The Speaker News Journal, 4 Jan. 2015, https://thespeakernewsjournal.com/entertainment/jay-wilds-real-star-serial/.
Khan, Mariam. “Asia McClain Speaks Out About ‘Serial”s Adnan Syed.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 10 Feb. 2016, https://abcnews.go.com/US/serial-trial-star-witness-asia-mcclain-speaks/story?id=36826305.
Land, Olivia. “Hae Min Lee’s Family Demands Adnan Syed’s Murder Conviction Be Reinstated.” New York Post, New York Post, 3 Feb. 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/02/03/hae-min-lees-family-wants-adnan-syeds-murder-conviction-reinstated/.
Verhoeven, Beatrice. “’Serial’ Witness Asia Mcclain on the Last Time She Saw Adnan Syed: ‘He Didn’t Seem to Be Jealous’.” TheWrap, 18 Mar. 2019, https://www.thewrap.com/serial-alibi-witness-asia-mcclain-last-time-she-saw-adnan-syed-jealous/.
Victor, Daniel. “Timeline: The Adnan Syed Case.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 16 Sept. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/article/adnan-syed-serial-timeline-serial.html#:~:text=Syed%20was%20accused%20of%20killing,for%20the%20last%2023%20years.
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The Secrets Your Memories Hold
Picture of victum Hae Min Lee and convicted murderer Adnan Syed
foxbaltimore.comIntroduction
I have recently listened to episode one of the podcast, Serial, by Sarah Koenig. This podcast takes a dive into a murder case of a highschool student named Hae Min Lee. The convicted murderer being her ex boyfriend Adnan Syed. In this first episode, The Alibi, Koenig shows both Adnan’s and his bestfriend at the time Jay’s sides of the story. She also demonstrates with different interviews that memories on uneventful days can be extremely hard to recall.
I thouroughly enjoyed the podcast about Hae Min Lee’s murder and found it very intriging. The mystery of her disappearence and murder were facinatng to me because there were multiple different stories about what happened the day she was murdered, all of which relied on their memory of that day. I also enjoyed the way she talks, very informal and as if she’s having a normal conversation with someone. Koenig added in the voice recordings of interviews she’s done as well as interviews conducted in the past which helped to keep my attention throughout the the episode. Overall I though it was very interesting and intriging to listen to.
Photo from news report on the case
cbsnews.comFormatting Investigative Journalism
The podcast formats investigative jornalism in a way I’ve never seen before. I think the idea of presenting investigative jornalism in the way Koenig does is very useful in catching the attention of different audiences. Younger listeners may find the story more interesting by the way she communicates the story. Koenig plays the recordings of interviews she’s conducted and interviews conducted in the past about the case. This helps me as a listener see the story different perspectives and hearing different voices helps to keep me interested. She also plays these interviews to prove her own statements whilst including others not involved in the case as extirior sources.
The more time that’s past since an experience, the less likely you are to recall all the details. It’s fairly easy to remember what you did a few hours ago. But recalling the same events a month or years later is considerably more difficult.
Staying SharpTo read more about memory loss and short term memory loss go to here.
The Effects on the Family
Cases like this one that become publicaly known can often have negative effects on the family. I personally feel as though the podcast may effect the family in a negative way because as we see all the time on social media, when old cases are brought into the limelight, people around the world involve themselves. They create their own conspiracies about what could have happened. When the public learns about the sinister details of what happened, on some ocasions tehy seek to reopen the case to bring the victim justice. This can bring back old trauma for families that have moved past the cruel deaths of their loved ones.
Above is a photo of Hae Min Lee’s mother crying due to the death of her daughter
nypost.comListening vs Reading Text
I really enjoyed this podcast and I thought it was a breath of fresh air when compared to having to read text. I find listening to text makes it easier to comprehend and concentrate on the story being told. When reading I find it difficult to imagine the different voices and understand the information being given. One benefit to reading text rather than listening is reading improves concentration and your ability to focus. When listening to text it’s common for people to get distracted as there is no visual for them to follow along. Despite this I still prefer listening to text over reading it.
Click Here to watch a video debating reading vs listening to text
speechify.comHow Memory is the Difference Maker
If asked about a random day where nothing eventful happned I am unable to recall many events of the day. When asked about a day where something eventful did happen I can remeber most things throuhout the whole day. For example the day I won the world championships for kickboxing I can remember my whole morning routine and most things that happened later in the day and night as well. The fact we have trouble remembering days from the past brings up the concern that many of these people from the interviews from the case don’t remember exactly what happened the day Hae Mine Lee was murdered. This can lead to people giving false or inaccurate statements as well as information.
Works Cited
“6 Types of Normal Memory Lapses.” 6 Normal Memory Lapses and Why Not to Worry, AARP, https://stayingsharp.aarp.org/about/brain-health/normal-memory/.
Burnett, Ava-Joye. “Family of Hae Min Lee Contends Case against Adnan Syed Is Still Alive in Appeal.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 2022, https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/family-of-hae-min-lee-contends-case-against-adnan-syed-is-still-alive-in-appeal/.
Land, Olivia. “Hae Min Lee’s Family Demands Adnan Syed’s Murder Conviction Be Reinstated.” New York Post, New York Post, 3 Feb. 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/02/03/hae-min-lees-family-wants-adnan-syeds-murder-conviction-reinstated/.
Swift, Tim. “Frequently Asked Questions about the Long and Winding Case of Adnan Syed.” WBFF, WBFF, 12 Oct. 2022, https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/adnan-syed-serial-hae-min-lee-murder-frequently-asked-questions-about-the-long-and-winding-case-of-adnan-syed. Weitzman, Cliff. “Audiobook vs Reading: Which Is Better?” Speechify, 26 Jan. 2023, https://speechify.com/blog/audiobook-vs-reading/?landing_url=https%3A%2F%2Fspeechify.com%2Fblog%2Faudiobook-vs-reading%2F.
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Grade 12 University English Opens Doors in Other Areas of Study
Photo credits cimptcollge.com
As I continue my academic journey into university, I’ve studied in many different subjects ranging from art, sciences, and even personal fitness. But one subject that is consistently helpful with all other subjects is English. As someone who isn’t particularly strong in English as a subject, I find myself having to try harder in English than other subjects. With this said I still believe it is useful in all other subjects and have found taking university English helpful in other areas of study.
I think that grade 12 university English should be mandatory for all university courses for students who are looking to study at a university.
Throughout my high school experience, I have been able to study and learn in many different subjects including math, French, sciences, and art. But one subject that I’ve found to be universally helpful in school is English. English class helps students develop skills in essay writing, researching, and studying. All of which will be needed in university for students who look to take that path. In university, students are required to take different courses depending on what they are there to study for. Almost all of which require them to write essays. During English class I have written many different essays about a multitude of different topics. University English has helped me and will continue to help me develop my essay writing ability which will without a doubt be useful in the future. Taking 3U English last yea also helped me to develop my researching skills. During the class I would have to research different literatures and relate them to current global events. This encouraged me to think critically about different topics and more in depth. It also helped me to learn how to research properly or different things. Although this may not be used directly in the future when it comes to researching and relating to current global events, it is the idea of thinking critically about topics and the researching skills I’ve developed that I will carry with me into other subjects and classes. English class also helped me to develop good studying habits. Writing many different essays, I needed to manage my time in order to be able to finish them on time. Time management is a mandator skill for those looing to study in university and 3U and 4U English give students to opportunity to improve their time management skills.
In today’s world of increased communications, particularly of a digital nature, writing skills are an important aspect of expression on a personal, professional and educational level.
Allison LakeTo learn more go to https://education.seattlepi.com/importance-english-courses-everyday-life-1236.html
Adolescences have lost interest in reading books in todays society.
Reading consistently strengthens connections in the brains, improves memory and concentration, and may even help you live longer
Lia TabackmanTo read more go to https://www.insider.com/guides/health/benefits-of-reading
I believe this loss stems from the overuse in today’s society of technology and social media in which youth are obsessed with apps such as Tiktok, Instagram, and Snapchat, and have trouble putting their phone down to read. In university English students have the opportunity to read novels on different topics. This helps to spark students interest in reading consistently which helps students in school and other classes. It also helps develop good study habits when it comes to time management and reading novels for class
Photo credits internationalenglishuniversity.com
English is one of the most important subjects in my eyes even if it isn’t one of my favorites. For those looking to attend university it should be mandatory for them to take 4U English to get into their course because the skills and habits university English teaches students are needed in all university courses. I for one am happy to take university English as I am aware of the future benefits it will have on my learning and I believe everyone else attending university should develop the same skills and habits I have.
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