Anyone else listening to the Serial Podcast?

[Anonymous]

The Serial Podcast started a few weeks ago about a murder in 1999 in Baltimore. I am obsessed with it!!
Anyone else? I now look forward to Thursdays when the next episode airs.

[Anonymous]

Me! Also an avid listener of This American Life. I have had a little bit of trouble remembering exactly what's happening from episode to episode but I'm really enjoying it. Am about halfway through the 4th ep and haven't started the 5th yet. Right now, seems to me like this Jay kid did it (or knew who did it) and then set up Adnan to take the fall. I've been wondering about the friend who said Adnan did it all along and it took us to the 4th ep to get there. But super interesting.

[Anonymous]

I'm totally into it too! Disagree with PP tho - I think Adnan definitely did it. He's weird in interviews too - a little too 'fair minded' seeming when it comes to his accusers. I wasn't too impressed with the "inconsistencies" in Jay's testimonies that were brought up. None of them were a big deal and a lot can be chalked up to memory issues relating to shock.

[Anonymous]

Yes--fascinating. I just caught up on all 5 episodes over the last week or so.

I'm not sure whether I think Adnan did it. One thing that does seem very clear to me though is that his lawyer did not give him a very good defense. I do think that the inconsistencies/possible alibi raised by the podcast are potentially compelling enough that if they had been introduced at trial they could have raised reasonable doubt. I'm always a little wary of cases where someone is convicted based largely on one person's testimony.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Right now I think Jay did it or he knows who else did it. There are just so many holes and inconsistencies with the story. It is really incredible.

I heard an interview with Sarah Koenig, and she said that she isn't even sure yet how it is going to end! Ahhh!

[Anonymous]

How can Sarah Koening not know how it's going to end? I was operating under the assumption that there would be no point to spending a whole series of podcasts on this particular story if Adnan actually did it. (I'm the PP who said I think Jay set up Adnan). I also agree with the person who said the library alibi story seemed like a really important thing to miss saying at trial. But am also a lawyer with criminal law experience, so I know it's never as clear cut as it may seem in this story. Anyway, happy to find other people to discuss it with!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes--fascinating. I just caught up on all 5 episodes over the last week or so.

I'm not sure whether I think Adnan did it. One thing that does seem very clear to me though is that his lawyer did not give him a very good defense. I do think that the inconsistencies/possible alibi raised by the podcast are potentially compelling enough that if they had been introduced at trial they could have raised reasonable doubt. I'm always a little wary of cases where someone is convicted based largely on one person's testimony.

+1 I'm leaning toward Jay doing it or being involved, although still feel it could possibly be Adnan. Still, Adnan's lawyer clearly botched the defense.

[Anonymous]

OP here -
Here is the interview I was talking about. She starts around 11:40:

https://soundcloud.com/thegist/the-serial-podcast-ending-is-tbd

[Anonymous]

Here is a New Yorker article about the podcast, it helps explain the reasons that Sarah decided to explore the story.

http://www.newyorker.com/culture/sarah-larson/serial-podcast-weve-waiting

[Anonymous]

Rabia, the sister of Adnan's friend who contacted Sarah about the story is blogging about the episodes. Obviously, she has a bias, but I found them interesting. Starts here:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/splitthemoon/2014/10/life-plus-30-murder-lies-the-anatomy-of-a-wrongful-conviction/

[Anonymous]

Also loving it - I think it's Jay also. It's such a weird and horrible story and the case against Adnan seems so flimsy.

[Anonymous]

I'm leaning toward Jay as well. That whole timeline thing was pretty fishy.

I also can't believe how much the defense missed. There really are two justice systems in this country: one for people who can afford competent legal help, and one for those who can't.

[Anonymous]

I am hooked.

I just don't believe Adnan did it. Everything about Jay's story is fishy and unbelievable. The prosecution's case was super weak and it really seems like Adnan's attorney was just terrible.

[Anonymous]

Great story. Loving the podcast. Recommending it to all my friends.

[Anonymous]

I love the podcast, and what makes it so compelling is that I keep going back and forth between who I think is guilty. Based on the inconsistencies in testimonies and other statements made, there sure are a lot of liars in this story - or at best, people with horrible memories. Maybe it's because Adnan and his friends got high all the time. Don't smoke dope, kids!!