Anyone listening to the Serial Podcast?

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madoka

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2004
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It's pretty obvious Adnan did it, despite the best efforts of an entertainment show to cast doubt.

It's idiotic though to think that this podcast is somehow more fair or authoritative than the court case. I hope this murdering POS doesn't get out because a bunch of numb nuts decide he's innocent based on a stylized show.

The judge who presided over the case had this to say:

“I listened to the podcast,” the judge wrote, “and saw how this very intelligent young man manipulated the writer. The evidence was overwhelming. I can see how 16 years later he has regret that he wasted his life by planning and carrying out the murder of his girlfriend. Very sad indeed.”
 

stlc8tr

Golden Member
Jan 5, 2011
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I don't see how it's obvious at all. Jay's story is all screwed up and there was no physical evidence.

I guess you have a different definition for "reasonable doubt" than I do.
 

madoka

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2004
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I don't see how it's obvious at all. Jay's story is all screwed up and there was no physical evidence.

I guess you have a different definition for "reasonable doubt" than I do.

Is your sole source of information the Serial podcast? If so, then yeah that show is designed to give you doubt.

That is contrary to what actually happened in the courtroom where even his attorney admitted his guilt. There a producer can't simply make up a narrative to make the story more compelling.
 

stlc8tr

Golden Member
Jan 5, 2011
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Is your sole source of information the Serial podcast? If so, then yeah that show is designed to give you doubt.

That is contrary to what actually happened in the courtroom where even his attorney admitted his guilt. There a producer can't simply make up a narrative to make the story more compelling.

Links to where the lawyer admitted his guilt? From the information contained in the podcast and other source, it sounded like he didn't have a very good lawyer anyway. Also, where did you get the quote about the judge?

I've glanced at some of the reddit threads but I didn't see any smoking guns there but there are a hell of a lot of threads there.
 

madoka

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2004
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Links to where the lawyer admitted his guilt? From the information contained in the podcast and other source, it sounded like he didn't have a very good lawyer anyway. Also, where did you get the quote about the judge?

I've glanced at some of the reddit threads but I didn't see any smoking guns there but there are a hell of a lot of threads there.

:rolleyes: I like how you've decided there is reasonable doubt based on an entertainment show.

It's like deciding someone is guilty from watching a reenactment on America's Most Wanted.

If you care so much about whether he is innocent or not, do what I did. Track down case files, read newspaper articles from the time of the case, etc. Form an intelligent conclusion on your own instead of what's spoon fed to you from a Hollywood producer looking to make a controversy.

Then you'll better understand why the judge in the case said this:

Noting Syed's intellect and popularity at school, Heard said: "You used that to manipulate people. Even today, I think you continue to manipulate even those who love you."
 

stlc8tr

Golden Member
Jan 5, 2011
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Meh. I didn't say Adnan was innocent. I just said that given all of the stuff that I've seen and heard, there's reasonable doubt. It's hardly "obvious" since there are so many holes in the prosecution's story. And Sarah Koenig is hardly a "Hollywood producer".
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
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Jay's interview moved me from leaning toward Adnan's guilt back to having no idea. His latest version of the story doesn't make any sense, because Adnan doesn't have Jay help shuffling the cars at all. That was the only logical reason for bringing a witness in - to help get both cars to Leakin Park and the Park & Ride. In Jay's new story Adnan would have had to drop Hae's car off near Leakin Park, then get back to the Best Buy to pick his car up by himself. He could have walked or I assume there is public transportation that might help, but then why is Jay involved? Because he's the only source of shovels in Baltimore?

He shoulda killed her at the Home Depot. It would have saved them a trip :)
 

JimKiler

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 2002
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The one question Sarah should have ask is if Adnan would take a polygraph test. Perhaps because he is in jail it is not allowed, i don't know if there are external forces preventing that from happening.
 

slayer202

Lifer
Nov 27, 2005
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Ok after reading through the thread and seeing some seemingly idiotic comments I need to research a bit more. What physical evidence was there? On the body, in the trunk?

did hae pick up her cousin that day?

Clearly the podcast makes it seem like there is no real evidence and plenty of reasonable doubt. It was still only a so-so podcast/story.
 
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uclaLabrat

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2007
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The one question Sarah should have ask is if Adnan would take a polygraph test. Perhaps because he is in jail it is not allowed, i don't know if there are external forces preventing that from happening.
I think he offered to during the trial and may have actually done it, though I could be thinking of Jay.

Which is stupid at any rate, polygraphs are garbage and I wouldn't consent to one, they can't help you and can only hurt you.
 

JimKiler

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 2002
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I think he offered to during the trial and may have actually done it, though I could be thinking of Jay.

Which is stupid at any rate, polygraphs are garbage and I wouldn't consent to one, they can't help you and can only hurt you.

it could clear the air but they definitely are not the a certainty.
 

JimKiler

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 2002
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Did Anyone listen to the This American Life episode this week, Batman. It is about how our thoughts control us. They tell the story of a blind man who can ride a bike and not just on a control space but he can ride a bike on a street or sidewalk.

I definitely recommend this episode.
 

Rage187

Lifer
Dec 30, 2000
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it's actually from a new podcast they are launching called Invisibilia. The 2nd episode is out already and it was equally good.
 

JimKiler

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 2002
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it's actually from a new podcast they are launching called Invisibilia. The 2nd episode is out already and it was equally good.

I thought the Invisibilia episode was a repeat from This American Life like they did when Serial came out. Good thing i did not delete it like i was going to do, both stories are crazy good, and the second one "Locked-In Man" is the best story i have heard on a podcast ever!

I am going to buy his book because i want to know more about how they got him to communicate and also hear him describe more about being forced to watch Barney episodes all day every day for years.
 

stlc8tr

Golden Member
Jan 5, 2011
1,106
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Did Anyone listen to the This American Life episode this week, Batman. It is about how our thoughts control us. They tell the story of a blind man who can ride a bike and not just on a control space but he can ride a bike on a street or sidewalk.

I definitely recommend this episode.

Echolocation in blind folks isn't new. James Holman was probably the most famous example.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Holman

Surprised the podcast didn't mention this.
 

JimKiler

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 2002
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Let me introduce you to SnapJudgement: http://*****************/where-no-one-should-go

that segment gets me.

I listened to snap judgement before but quickly stopped listening. I am listening to this one now. I realize now i have listened to this story before, and it is a good one. maybe we should do a thread on good podcast stories. I cannot get enough good stories. of course half the This American Life would be game for it.

FYI there is another invisibilia episode from radio labs, http://www.radiolab.org/story/invisibilia/
 
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Blackjack200

Lifer
May 28, 2007
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So I just finished listening to this, and I didn't really like it. I thought it was plainly obvious that Adnan was guilty. And I thought Sarah Koenig was cynical and manipulative.

That said:

My sense, overall, is that Adnan is probably guilty but that there was not enough evidence to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

DVC is the second lawyer I've seen suggest that the evidence may have been inadequate to convict by our standards.

Actually the other one is a Georgetown alum who thinks he's innocent. I don't even know what to say to that. /shrug
 

bigrash

Lifer
Feb 20, 2001
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So I'm late to the game, and just finished listening to this. I thought it was very fascinating.

In the end, I don't think that Adnan did it.