In a dramatic turn of events, Vybz Kartel, the Jamaican dancehall maestro, has seen his murder conviction overturned.
Originally handed a life sentence in 2014 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, the artist now breathes the air of potential freedom.
The appeal, which tipped the scales in his favor, was heard by the esteemed Privy Council which serves as the highest court of appeal in Jamaica and other Commonwealth countries .
The crux of the argument? A juror, tainted by accusations of attempted bribery, should have been dismissed from the trial.
The ball is now in the court of the Jamaican authorities, who will decide whether to retry the case.
Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, is not just a household name in Jamaica, but a global sensation. His collaborations with international superstars like Jay-Z and Rihanna have catapulted him to the zenith of the music industry.
His trial, a marathon of 64 days, etched its name in the annals of Jamaican history as one of the longest. Initially, Kartel was ordered to serve a minimum of 35 years behind bars, a sentence later trimmed to 32-and-a-half years.
The trial unveiled a chilling narrative. Clive Williams and another man, Lamar Chow, were entrusted with two unlicensed firearms belonging to Kartel. When they failed to return them, they were summoned to Kartel’s lair and attacked.
The Privy Council, in its wisdom, ruled that the decision to allow a juror accused of attempted bribery to stay was a fatal blow to the safety of the convictions. It was deemed an infringement of the defendants’ fundamental right to a fair hearing.
Vybz Kartel’s fame extends far beyond his homeland, with global hits like “Clarks”, “Ramping Shop”, and “Summer Time”. His success has spawned a range of merchandise, including shoes, alcohol, and condoms. He also broke new ground as the first dancehall artist to star in his own reality TV show, “Teacha’s Pet”.
Originally handed a life sentence in 2014 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, the artist now breathes the air of potential freedom.
The appeal, which tipped the scales in his favor, was heard by the esteemed Privy Council in London. The crux of the argument? A juror, tainted by accusations of attempted bribery, should have been dismissed from the trial.
The ball is now in the court of the Jamaican authorities, who will decide whether to retry the case.
Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, is not just a household name in Jamaica, but a global sensation. His collaborations with international superstars like Jay-Z and Rihanna have catapulted him to the zenith of the music industry.
His trial, a marathon of 64 days, etched its name in the annals of Jamaican history as one of the longest. Initially, Kartel was ordered to serve a minimum of 35 years behind bars, a sentence later trimmed to 32-and-a-half years.
The trial unveiled a chilling narrative. Clive Williams and another man, Lamar Chow, were entrusted with two unlicensed firearms belonging to Kartel. When they failed to return them, they were summoned to Kartel’s lair and attacked.
The Privy Council, in its wisdom, ruled that the decision to allow a juror accused of attempted bribery to stay was a fatal blow to the safety of the convictions. It was deemed an infringement of the defendants’ fundamental right to a fair hearing.
Vybz Kartel’s fame extends far beyond his homeland, with global hits like “Clarks”, “Ramping Shop”, and “Summer Time”. His success has spawned a range of merchandise, including shoes, alcohol, and condoms. He also broke new ground as the first dancehall artist to star in his own reality TV show, “Teacha’s Pet”.
How has this decision been received in Jamaica?
The reaction to Vybz Kartel’s overturned conviction in Jamaica has been varied. Some senior attorneys with no known connection to the case believed that Vybz Kartel and his co-accused would be freed or granted a retrial.
The prosecution had stated that if Vybz Kartel’s murder conviction were overturned, they intended to pursue a retrial.
However, the final decision on whether to initiate a retrial lies with the Jamaican authorities.
who is Vybz Kartel?
Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer, is a renowned Jamaican dancehall musician. Born on January 7, 1976, he is often referred to by his nicknames, “Worl’ Boss” or “Teacha”.
Kartel has gained international fame with hits like “Clarks”, “Ramping Shop”, and “Summer Time” and has collaborated with global superstars such as Jay-Z and Rihanna. His success has led him to launch lines of shoes, alcohol, and condoms. He also became the first dancehall artist to star in his own reality TV show, “Teacha’s Pet”.
In 2014, Kartel was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his associate Clive “Lizard” Williams. However, his conviction was overturned on March 14, 2024, by the Privy Council due to juror misconduct. The Jamaican Court of Appeal will decide if a retrial will take place.
Despite his imprisonment, Kartel often released new music, having released over 50 new songs in 2016 alone. His hit song “Fever” was certified gold in June 2020.
