Appeal for the Family of Murder Victim Hae Min Lee

Case name: Young Lee, as Victim’s Representative, v. State of Maryland

Filed in: The Appellate Court of Maryland

Docket: [Case no. CSA-REG-1291-2022]

Case Summary

Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight is representing Young Lee, the brother of murder victim Hae Min Lee, in appealing the Baltimore City circuit court decision that vacated the conviction of Adnan Syed. Mr. Syed was convicted in 1999 for killing Ms. Lee, and the subsequent case has drawn international attention as the subject of the 2014 blockbuster podcast “Serial” and an HBO documentary.

While not challenging the evidence relating to Mr. Syed’s underlying guilt or innocence, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight’s appeal on behalf of Mr. Lee contends that the vacatur hearing violated Maryland’s statutory and constitutional crime victims’ rights by not giving the Lee family adequate notice or a meaningful opportunity to participate in the proceedings. Maryland’s Declaration of Rights affords crime victims “dignity, respect, and sensitivity during all phases of the criminal justice process,” which the circuit court trampled in this instance.

On September 28, 2022, nine days after Mr. Syed’s conviction was vacated, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight filed a notice of appeal with the Appellate Court of Maryland.

On October 5, 2022, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight filed a motion to stay the circuit court proceedings.

On October 27, 2022, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight filed a response to the Appellate Court’s Order to Show Cause why the appeal is not moot.

On November 4, 2022, the Appellate Court granted Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight’s motion for a full appeal.

On December 9, 2022, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight submitted the Appellant Brief in Young Lee, as Victim’s Representative, v. State of Maryland.

On January 23, 2023, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight submitted Appellant Reply Brief.

On February 2, 2023, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight presented oral arguments to the Maryland Appellate Court asking it to remand the case to the circuit court with instructions to conduct a new evidentiary hearing that fully complies with the law.

On March 28, 2023, The Appellate Court granted Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight’s request and ordered a redo of the vacatur hearing.

On June 28, 2023, The Maryland Supreme Court granted a petition for a writ of certiorari on behalf of Adnan Syed and a cross-petition on behalf of Young Lee to review the Appellate Court ruling.

On October 5, 2023, The Maryland Supreme Court heard oral arguments. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight presented arguments on behalf of Mr. Lee (you can watch the full hearing here).

On August 30, 2024, The Maryland Supreme Court, by a 4-3 vote, affirmed the Maryland Appellate Court opinion that Mr. Lee’s rights as a crime victim’s representative had been violated. The Supreme Court ordered that Mr. Syed’s conviction be reinstated and that a new vacatur hearing be held in circuit court in which Mr. Lee is given adequate notice to appear and be heard regarding the State’s Attorney’s motion to vacate Mr. Syed’s conviction for the murder of Mr. Lee’s sister, Hae Min Lee.