Vybz Kartel Out – Court of Appeal Declines Retrial

Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel was released from prison on July 31, 2024, following a landmark ruling by Jamaica’s Appeal Court. 

This decision comes after years of legal battles and a significant ruling from the island’s Apex Court. The Court of Appeal announced today that it has decided against ordering a retrial for Kartel and his co-accused in the high-profile murder case of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. 

The decision, was handed down by Appeal Court president Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, who conceds that while the nature of the allege crime is heinous, but several factors including missing exhibits and witness availability work make a retrail untenable.

The court also considered cost and Palmer’s deteriorating health. The ruling follows the Privy Council’s March decision to quash the original convictions due to juror misconduct, remitting the case back to the Jamaican court for further consideration.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was initially convicted along with Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John for Williams’ murder. 

The convictions were overturned in March, prompting a decision on whether a retrial would be necessary. The case has been a focal point in Jamaican legal history, marked by its extensive trial and numerous appeals. 

Kartel’s legal team had long argued that the initial trial was tainted by irregularities, and today’s ruling marks a significant victory for the entertainer.

Kartel has been incarcerated for over a decade, with his attorneys maintaining his detention was unconstitutional. It’s lead them to consider an innocent project.

The decision not to proceed with a retrial will lead to Kartel’s release from custody. 
He had been serving a life sentence with a minimum of 35 years before eligibility for parole. 

The court’s ruling concludes a saga that began with his arrest in 2011 and subsequent conviction in 2014.

Reporter: Ramon Gordon