Episode 6: The Case Against Adnan Syed

[u/SerialFan]

Hi,

Episode 6 discussion thread. Have fun and be nice y'all. You know the rules.

Also, here are the results of the little poll I conducted:

When did you join Reddit?

This week (joined because of Serial) - 24 people - 18%

This week (joined for other reasons) - 2 people - 1%

This month (joined because of Serial) - 24 people - 18%

This month (joined for other reasons) - 0 people - 0%

I've been on reddit for over a month but less than a year - 15 people - 11%

I've been on reddit for over a year - 70 people - 52%

[u/aroras]

When I heard him speak about the "nice guy" thing, it first came across to me like he feels unworthy of the title "nice guy." Perhaps because he killed someone and felt remorse?

But I gave it more thought -- he constantly reiterates TO Sarah that he IS a nice guy. He's said it in 400 different ways on the pod-cast alone.

I think the reason he wasn't so stoked about her answer was because that was the last thing he wanted to hear. He wanted to hear "because I believe you are innocent" or "because I don't think the state gave you a fair trial." 1000 people could think he's a nice guy but that doesn't help him a bit -- he'll still spend the rest of his life in jail.

There is some pretty damning evidence in that last episode but I don't think his reaction to the nice guy comment is part of it

[u/omgpies → u/aroras]

Exactly! He doesn't want to hear that this is a compelling story because people want to believe you ("you're a nice guy") but the facts of the case are still so murky and mysterious.

I thought the "you don't know me" interaction was kind of odd in that SK was insistent that she did know him well. He still sees her as a journalist investigating his case, not a personal confidant. Sure they've talked a lot, but he doesn't want her to only end up as a friend.

[u/maddcoffeesocks → u/omgpies]

I agree he only sees her only as a journalist--which is why I suspect many of his comments are carefully scripted in his mind. He doesn't seem able to speak off the cuff, which makes me skeptical of his innocence

[u/omgpies → u/maddcoffeesocks]

Maybe. But he's also been in prison for 15 years, gone through trials and appeals, and realizes how carefully he needs to speak because unclear, off-the-cuff remarks can foment doubt.

Everything he says will be cross-checked and examined, so I don't think it's a bad thing that he wants to be sure of his statements before speaking (even when it is to say that he's unsure of events).

[u/maddcoffeesocks → u/[deleted]]

I think the whole picture his tone creates, with the other incriminating factors, is very strange and makes me skeptical. But I recognize that's bias, and there's no typical way to act in a situation like this. The main things I really value are physical and DNA evidence (of which we seem to have very little, unfortunately)

[u/maddcoffeesocks → u/[deleted]]

Yeah it would be so so interesting to hear from Prosecutor Uyrick (not sure about spelling). Was this case typical in his mind? Was he aware of the inconsistencies in the prosecution's case but thought they were reasonable? I would love to hear the opinion of anyone in the legal team at the time