---
title: 1999 – First Trial – Mistrial
description: "**December 8 to 15, 1999** **Judge:** [William Quarles](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/people/william-quarles/), Associate Judge for [Baltimore City Circuit Court](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/employer/bccc/) Adnan’s first trial was delayed for a few months, but eventually started on 8th December 1999.  He had chosen a jury trial. It ended prematurely when…"
url: "https://donclinedinstandthekillingofhaeminlee.debisimons.com/wiki/1999-first-trial-transcript-mistrial/"
updated: "2024-07-11"
category: Trials
---

# 1999 – First Trial – Mistrial

**December 8 to 15, 1999**

**Judge:** [William Quarles](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/people/william-quarles/), Associate Judge for [Baltimore City Circuit Court](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/employer/bccc/)

Adnan’s first trial was delayed for a few months, but eventually started on 8th December 1999.  He had chosen a jury trial. It ended prematurely when Judge Quarles declared a mistrial.

| Date/ full file | **Details / links to extract files ** |
| --- | --- |
| **Day 1** Wed, Dec 8 1999 | Trial Starts The trial transcript for this day is not available. From the discussions the following day we do know it was the first day of the trial and included jury selection (voir dire) as well as discussions, and probably agreements, about items which might later be introduced into evidence. |
| **Day 2** [Thu, Dec 9](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1d02-19991209-Trial-Transcript-Adnan-Syed-First-Trial-BCCC.pdf) 1999 | Preliminary discussions – p3 Defendant enters courtroom – p7 [Voir dire – Jury Selection](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1oth-19991209-Jury-Selection-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – p9 Jury sworn in – p130 Judge Quarles’ introduction – p131 [Prosecution opening statement](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1oth-19991209-Opening-Statement-Mr-Urick-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Urick – p133 [Defence opening statement](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1oth-19991209-Opening-Statement-Ms-Gutierrez-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Gutierrez – p138 |
| **Day 3** [Fri, Dec 10](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1d03-19991210-Trial-Transcript-Adnan-Syed-First-Trial-BCCC.pdf) 1999 | State’s case begins [Young Lee](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w01-19991210-Young-Lee-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Hae’s brother – p4 [Nisha](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w02-19991210-Nisha-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Adnan’s romantic interest – p25 [Officer Scott Adcock](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w03-19991210-Scott-Adcock-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – County PD officer who responded to initial call on January 13 – p37 [Sergeant Kevin Forrester](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w04-19991210-Sgt-Kevin-Forrester-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – BPD homicide sergeant – p56 [Salvatore Bianca](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w05-19991210-Sal-Bianca-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – BPD Trace Analysis Unit tech – p71 [Romano Thomas](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w06-19991210-Romano-Thomas-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – BPD Mobile Crime Lab tech – p103 |
| **Day 4** [Mon, Dec 13](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1d04-19991213-Trial-Transcript-Adnan-Syed-First-Trial-BCCC.pdf) 1999 | Proceedings open – p155 [Emmanuel Obot](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w07-19991213-Emmanuel-Obot-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – BPD Mobile Crime Lab tech – p155 [Detective Sgt Joseph O’Shea](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w08-19991213-Joseph-O-Shea-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – County PD detective sergeant – p160 [Ms Inez Butler-Hendrix](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w09-19991213-Inez-Butler-Hendrix-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Athletic trainer / teacher at Woodlawn High – p175 [Donald C](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w10-19991213-Don-C-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Hae’s boyfriend in January 1999 – p195 [Ms L Woodley](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w11-19991213-L-Woodley-Asst-Prin-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Deputy headteacher at Woodlawn High – p212 [S Watts](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w12-19991213-S-Watts-Nurse-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – School nurse at Woodlawn High – p225 [Sharon Talmadge](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w13-19991213-Sharon-Talmadge-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – BPD Latent Prints (fingerprints) Lab tech – p250 [Krista M](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w14-19991213-Krista-M-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Friend of Adnan and Hae at Woodlawn High – p284 [Deborah W](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w15-19991213-Debbie-W-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) (Debbie) – Friend of Adnan and Hae at Woodlawn High – p322 |
| **Day 5** [Tue, Dec 14](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1d05-19991214-Trial-Transcript-Adnan-Syed-First-Trial-BCCC.pdf) 1999 | [Ms H Schab](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w16-19991214-H-Schab-French-Teacher-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Hae’s French teacher at Woodlawn High – p6 [Margarita Korell](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w17-19991214-Margarita-Korell-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Medical examiner (performed autopsy) – p21 [Melissa Stangroom](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w18-19991214-Melissa-Strangroom-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf)– MD State Police forensic chemist (DNA and other testing) – p69 [Yasar A](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w19-19991214-Yaser-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Friend of Adnan – p97 [Cathy](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w20-19991214-Cathy-Kristi-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) (Kristi V) – Friend of Jenn P – p123 [Jay Wilds pt a](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w21a-19991214-Jay-Wilds-A-Testimony-at-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf)– p183 |
| **Day 6** [Wed, Dec 15](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1d06-19991215-Trial-Transcript-Adnan-Syed-First-Trial-BCCC.pdf) 1999 | [Jay Wilds part b](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w21b-19991215-Jay-Wilds-B-Testimony-at-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – p4 [William Rodriguez](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1w22-19991215-William-Rodriguez-Testimony-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf) – Naval forensic anthropologist (disinterment of body) – p229 Dr Rodriguez excused – p250 Mistrial Declared [Motion for mistrial granted](https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194524/https://www.adnansyedwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/T1oth-19991215-Mistrial-Declared-First-Trial-of-Adnan-Syed.pdf)– p 255 Proceedings close – p256 |

On the sixth day, Judge Quarles and Gutierrez had a disagreement and, despite the white noise machine, members of audience and crucially the jury overheard (p220).  This led to Quarles declaring a mistrial.

> “However, I do have a note from Altemate Number 4, ‘In view of that fact that you’ve determined that Ms. Gutierrez is a liar, will she be removed? Will we start over?’
> Your motion for mistrial is granted” – Judge Quarles

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