FREEDOM VYBEZ: Vybz Kartel Finally Released From Prison After 13 Years
Vybz Kartel, a Jamaican dancehall artist, is to be released from prison after his murder conviction was overturned in March, a court ruled today.
The 48-year-old artist was sentenced to life in prison in 2014 after being arrested in 2011 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, whose body was never found, but he has now been released after a successful appeal.
Kartel and his co-accused Shawn “Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John will not face a new trial, the Court of Appeal ruled unanimously today.
Dancehall star Vybz Kartel is free. The Court of Appeal just ruled that he and three co-accused should not be retried for murder. Freedom, a day before Jamaica celebrates Emancipation Day, caps an almost 13-year journey of arrests, trial, convictions, and a successful appeal. pic.twitter.com/p2GKlIt0jP
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) July 31, 2024
Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop announced the decision.
“We conclude that the interest of justice do not require a new trial to be ordered for the appellants.”
The judge continued, as per Dancehall Mag: “We therefore make the following order: judgments and verdicts of acquittal are entered in relation to the appellants.”
She added: “That is it. The appellants are free.”
In March, the Privy Council in London, Jamaica’s highest court of appeals, heard a successful appeal arguing that a juror accused of attempting to bribe others should have been removed from the trial.
Despite overturning the convictions, the Privy Council did not free the men and instead referred the case to the Court of Appeal.
Fans broke down barriers to mob attorney Isat Buchanan as he emerged from the Court of the Appeal in downtown Kingston on Wednesday, after his client and dancehall star Vybz Kartel was just freed of a murder charge. "Free worl' boss!" the fans shouted.
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) July 31, 2024
📹: Sashana Small pic.twitter.com/HmzIEnZ6Jm
The musician, real name Adidja Palmer, is one of the Caribbean island’s most popular musical artists, having collaborated with Rihanna and Jay-Z.
In 2014, the co-accused was sentenced to life in prison following a 64-day trial, the longest in Jamaican history.
St John and Kartel received 35 and 30 years, respectively, whereas Campbell and Jones received 25 years.
Kartel and his co-defendants have maintained their innocence throughout.
The musician, known by the nicknames World Boss and Di Teacha, is credited with being one of Drake’s ‘biggest inspirations’ and has continued to shape the dancehall genre by releasing music from behind bars.
In an interview with Rolling Stone five years after his incarceration through his lawyer, he denied recording in jail.
“I’ve always been a prolific songwriter, and I record at breakneck speed as well, so I have a lot of surplus material to choose from,” Kartel said.
“There is a recording studio at another correctional facility [in Jamaica] but none here … cellphones, laptops, or any Internet-capable instrument are prohibited items.”
FREEDOM VYBEZ: Vybz Kartel Finally Released From Prison After 13 Years
