38 Serial Justice

0038 Serial Transcript and Citations

Welcome back to Cameo Radio. This short introduces a new lens with which to focus on some glaring societal issues and potential solution-based thinking.

Today's episode features the CBC podcast "Serial" which serves to introduce the topic of Justice reform and accountability leading future exploration and insight.If you have not had a chance to listen to Serial on CBC, I suggest you take the time to do so, it’s worth the while. Serial Season 1 focuses on the 1999 murder of high school senior Hae Min Lee and the subsequent conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed. I'll share how "Serial" revisits the investigation, by peeling back layers of this complex case inevitably helping to bring an innocent man to the acquittal he rightfully deserved. Serial brings awareness in a manner similar to how my podcast has helped to unveil my personal and professional challenges after also having come in contact within the justice system. 

Sarah Koenig, the host of Serial, navigates the murky details of Adnan's legal proceedings, discovering evidence that never made it to trial, key witness testimony, was omitted.Sarah pieces together the story after a long duration of time. Highlighting discussions with legal experts, and individuals that were involved in 1999. The similarities in process between Adnan’s case and many others draw parallels and similarities to mine. Just as Adnon's case contained evidence that would have proved his innocence and spared him twenty years of grief, so does mine. The omission of material fact by a potentially biassed detective gave way for a prosecutor's theoretical model of guilt. Overtime and once examined this theoretical model had no validity at all. There should never be a question of validity regarding Theory over facts In a criminal proceeding. The mere potential of theoretical scenarios leading to convictions raises some rather pressing concerns - consider this: anyone tried has to be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt not just within a balance of probabilities - in this - theories could never be considered substance in a legal matter - only fact considered. 

"Serial" has spurred public discourse around the reliability and fairness of the criminal justice system. Reflecting on this issue I find myself working more in advocacy and towards restorative justice through cultural and systemic reform, education and meaningful engagement with people - this avenue has emerged as a very real responsibility. The podcast Serial along with my own experiences serve as a stark reminder that systemic shortcomings, prejudice, stereotyping and racial profiling could happen to anyone resulting in inaccurate, unfair and erroneous problems that do not meet the mandate of justice.. 

“In a time of such overwhelming ignorance of this critical information, the fact that I dounderstand it, places me in a position of moral obligation to speak this information to others, in an attempt to help them to understand it, and live it, as well.” - Mark Passio (Thesis on Natural Law)

In exploring racial profiling "Serial" uncovers the links between Adnan’s Pakistani background and Muslim faith. This background was used to corroborate the prosecutors theoretical reality, leading to Adnan’s conviction despite his actual innocence (Adnan Syed, Subject). The themes of stereotyping and prosecution through theoretical models - remain highly relevant today as a shortcoming of the justice system.As if Adnan’s case was not enough of a glimpse into a major problem just look-up American Japanese 1942 (Wikipedia Contributors). Realising the history and the fact that unchecked these issues persist today - I invite you to consider how quickly your imaginary rights could disappear when you need them the most.… No ..? -  that can’t happen to me? … If you find yourself thinking or feeling the rejection of this concept - I again invite you to consider the possibility that