Jamaican dancehall sensation Vybz Kartel has been released from prison after a Jamaican court ruled against a retrial for his 2014 murder conviction. Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, had his conviction overturned by the UK Privy Council in March, which deemed the original verdict unsafe due to issues with jury conduct.
Kartel was initially imprisoned for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, a case in which Kartel and his co-defendants were sentenced to life in prison. Despite maintaining his innocence, Kartel was given a minimum of 35 years behind bars. The conviction stemmed from allegations that Williams and another man were given firearms by Kartel for safekeeping but were later allegedly attacked, with Williams never seen again. The house where the incident supposedly took place burned down, and Williams’ body was never recovered.
Following the Privy Council’s ruling, which criticized the handling of the trial juror’s alleged attempt to bribe others, Jamaican authorities had to decide whether to proceed with a new trial. On Wednesday, the Jamaican Court of Appeal decided that a retrial was unnecessary, citing the severe impact on Kartel’s health, the passage of time, and difficulties in accessing evidence and witnesses. The court’s decision means Kartel and his co-defendants are formally acquitted.
The court hearing was closely watched and heavily secured, reflecting the high-profile nature of the case. Seani B, host of BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Dancehall Show, described Kartel’s release as a monumental moment for Jamaica and the dancehall community. He noted that Kartel’s return is highly antic”Dancehall Icon Vybz Kartel Freed: Jamaican Artist’s Murder Conviction Overturned”ipated by fans and that the artist’s influence has only grown over the years.
As Kartel steps back into the limelight, his supporters are celebrating his release, while the case continues to remind many of the unresolved tragedy surrounding Clive Williams’ death.
Source: The Newsroom Africa
