'The Case Against Adnan Syed': What Do DNA Results Mean Post Syed's Upheld Conviction

HBO documentary The Case Against Adnan Syed has presented viewers with new developments in Syed's argument for innocence in the form of never-before-seen DNA results.

The news, however, comes at an awkward time. As part of the last episode in the four-part series, the new discoveries were not announced to the public until four weeks after Syed's upheld conviction, leaving questions as to what good they can really do, even with an audience that wants to see Syed free.

Syed is in prison for the murder of his high school girlfriend Hae Min Lee, though he's always maintained his innocence. His story was first featured on the podcast Serial, which looked at holes in the case. While Serial and The Case Against Adnan Syed didn't provide any answers, each presented pieces of a puzzle that left questions about whether Syed committed the crime.

New DNA evidence, according to Sunday's episode, shows there were no signs of Syed's presence at the killing. This includes no DNA on Lee's body as well as the interior of her car. There is a downside to the evidence, though: Not only was Syed's DNA missing but no other DNA was present. This means if Syed is innocent, the real killer also left no DNA behind.

The series presented a handful of new pieces of evidence, including a rear mirror fingerprint, which has never been found in a fingerprint database. Questions about Lee's car being hidden in a neighborhood lot were raised, challenging previous ideas that her car was there for months. Instead, a turf psychologist said it may have only been parked in the secret location a week.

So with this new evidence, now public, what can be done? Syed's conviction was overturned by a handful of Maryland courts but appealed by the state each time. In Maryland's highest court, the state won. Syed's conviction was upheld, and he was not granted a new trial. Syed could appeal his case in federal court, which could grant him a new trial or overturn his conviction.

This new evidence may be helpful in a higher court but was likely presented in Syed's past appeal. Either way, the new information has started another conversation about Syed's involvement in Lee's death and will likely continue to prompt discussions about whether he should be freed.