‘She would make up a lie’ Did Asia McClain fabricate her testimony?

Whether a Serial fan or not, the vast majority of people will, at this stage, have heard of Adnan Syed and Hae Min Lee.

The latter was found murdered in Baltimore in 1999, and the former – her ex-boyfriend – was convicted of the crime.

But with glaring discrepancies in the trial against Syed, American journalist, Sarah Koenig, set about investigating the case in a move which resulted in one of the most downloaded podcasts of all time.

Listeners were informed that there existed a woman who could offer an alibi for Syed on the day of the murder, but who wasn't questioned during the investigation or asked to testify during trial.

Asia McClain insists that Syed was in the school library at the time police believe the murder was committed, and her claims have helped Syed secure a new trial following a post-conviction hearing.

But according to emerging reports, Asia's claims have been cast in doubt after two former Woodlawn High School students gave sworn statements to the Maryland attorney general's office this summer.

Claiming that Asia had planned to lie for Syed, the former students recalled an argument where they pleaded with Asia to rethink her plan.

"Both my sister and I (more so my sister) argued with Asia about how serious this situation was," recalled one.

"She just said that it wouldn't hurt anything — that if he was truly guilty, then he would be convicted. I'm not sure what can come of this information but I felt I had to let someone know."

Denying the accusations, Asia's attorney, Gary Proctor, said: "Given that the case is now before an appellate court, we question the timing of these bizarre, and wholly factually untrue, allegations.

According to The Baltimore Sun, the siblings sent Facebook messages to Asia and reminded her of the supposed altercation which took place when she suggested defending Syed.

"I've sat back and let you have your 15 minutes of fame on behalf of that poor girl because I didn't think anyone would actually [entertain] you or your fabricated story about seeing him in the library," one of the sisters wrote.

"I remember that day in Ms. Graham's like it was yesterday. I remember getting into a heated argument with you about how serious the situation was and that a girl lost her life and [redacted] actually had to 'break up' our verbal altercation," she added.

Asia denies these accusations and stands by her testimony.