Adnan Syed Update: 'Serial' Subject Will Get a New Trial

Adnan Syed, the subject of the hit podcast Serial, will be getting a new trial, according to documents from the Maryland Court of Appeals released on Thursday.

"WE WON THE APPEAL #FREEADNAN," trial lawyer Justin Brown wrote on Twitter.

Syed was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, in 1999; he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in February 2000. Lee was found buried in a shallow grave in Leakin Park in Baltimore, Maryland, but Syed maintained his innocence and that there was no evidence that he committed the crime.

Serial detailed the murder, discussed Syed's trial and raised questions about his potential innocence, which sparked public interest in the case. Syed was denied his first appeal in 2012, but a judge vacated his conviction in June 2016 after finding that his initial defense attorney did not represent him effectively. The case was sent to an appeals court.

During a press conference live streamed on Periscope Thursday afternoon, Brown said he was confident that they would get the appeal.

"We sort of had a feeling that this would turn out and indeed it did," Brown told reporters.

Brown said that Syed was nearing 20 years in prison and that jail time had been very stressful. Brown said Syed was very happy with the court's decision.

"He asked me to convey his deep gratitude and thanks from the bottom of his heart for all of those who supported him for this long process," said Brown.

Brown also gave credit to Serial host Sarah Koenig and her reporting during the 12-episode podcast. Koenig, who is a former producer of the radio program "This American Life," was able to track down Asia McClain Chapman, who provided a possible alibi for Syed. Chapman previously claimed that she saw Syed at the Woodlawn library during the time Lee was likely killed.

"If you recall, the first time around we were pursuing the alibi issue, but we were unable to locate the witness. Serial shook the trees and brought Asia to Baltimore for the post-conviction two years ago," said Brown. "This helped build this support for Adnan and the case and fueled these efforts to keep fighting on as we have."