On June 30, 2016, Judge Welch granted Syed's request for a new trial, ruling that Gutierrez "rendered ineffective assistance when she failed to cross-examine the state's expert regarding the reliability of cell tower location evidence," vacating Syed's conviction.[30][31] In October 2016, Syed's attorneys requested bail be granted to Syed until the retrial started.[32] On December 29, 2016, Judge Welch denied bail for Syed.[33] On March 29, 2018, the decision to grant Syed a new trial was upheld by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.[34]