Court of Appeal Frees Vybz Kartel a Day Before Emancipation Day

Vybz Kartel, the renowned dancehall star, is a free man. The Court of Appeal has ruled that Kartel and his three co-defendants should not be retried for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. This ruling concludes one of the most high-profile cases in Jamaica’s recent history.

“We conclude that the interest of justice does not require a new trial to be ordered,” the court stated.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, comes a day before Jamaica celebrates Emancipation Day.

This marks the end of a nearly 13-year legal saga for Kartel, Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones. However, Jones will remain in custody due to a separate, unrelated sentence. The court cited Kartel’s health condition, detailed in a 2023 medical affidavit, as reaching critical levels.

Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, and the men were originally charged in September 2011 and convicted in March 2014. They were sentenced to life in prison but challenged the conviction at the Privy Council, which overturned the convictions due to juror misconduct. The case was remitted to the Court of Appeal to determine if a retrial was warranted.

The prosecution, led by Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson, argued strongly for a retrial, emphasising the need for a fair trial and justice for the deceased. The defence, led by John Clarke and Isat Buchanan, argued against a retrial, citing constitutional breaches, pre-trial publicity, and the significant time elapsed since the incident.

Ultimately, the Court of Appeal decided in favour of freedom for the accused, noting the long duration of the legal process and the various breaches of the men’s rights. The ruling reflects the court’s acknowledgment of the inhumane conditions and the profound impact of prolonged incarceration on the appellants’ health and well-being.