The conviction has been reinstated, but apparently it's a technicality where they're going back to the trial court for another motion to vacate based on family members of the victim not being at the previous hearing. He's still free though.
An appellate court panel voted 2-1 to reinstate the conviction, according to a court filing.
"We vacate the circuit court's order vacating Mr. Syed's convictions, which results in the reinstatement of the original convictions and sentence," the court filing said. "We remand for a new, legally compliant, and transparent hearing on the motion to vacate, where Mr. Lee is given notice of the hearing that is sufficient to allow him to attend in person, evidence supporting the motion to vacate is presented, and the court states its reasons in support of its decision."
Judge Michelle Phinn ordered Syed's release in October 2022, asking for his shackles to be removed after listening to the state and the defense make arguments.
She said that "in the interests of fairness and justice," Syed should be released on his own recognizance after finding that prosecutors failed to turn over evidence that could have helped his trial in 2000 and after new evidence was discovered that could have affected the outcome of his case.
The appellate court said "the circuit court violated Mr. Lee's right to notice of, and his right to attend, the hearing on the State's motion to vacate."