In a landmark decision, Jamaica’s Court of Appeal has ordered the release of renowned dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, and his three co-accused.
The court overturned their convictions for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, citing numerous legal concerns and the overarching interests of justice.
The unanimous decision, delivered by Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, who presided over the panel along with Justices Paulette Williams and David Fraser, highlighted 12 key factors influencing their ruling. These factors included the gravity of the crime, the strength of the prosecution’s case, the availability of witnesses, and the potential for a retrial within a reasonable timeframe. Importantly, the judges also considered the 13 years the appellants had already spent in custody and the significant burden a retrial would place on them.
“The interests of justice do not require a new trial to be ordered for the appellants,” stated Justice McDonald-Bishop. This decision comes after the UK-based Privy Council, Jamaica’s highest court of appeal, overturned the original convictions on March 14, 2024, due to juror misconduct. The misconduct involved juror Livingston Cain, who was found guilty of accepting a bribe to sway the jury, a fact that the trial judge failed to address adequately at the time.
During the appeals process, defense attorney Isat Buchanan argued for an acquittal to prevent further constitutional breaches against the accused. He emphasized that the prosecution had not adequately addressed these breaches, leaving the accused in a state of uncertainty. In contrast, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson argued that the gravity of the offense and public interest justified a retrial, asserting that the accused should not evade justice on technical grounds.
The case has been a high-profile saga since the four men—Vybz Kartel, Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John—were arrested and charged with Williams’ murder in September 2011. Their convictions in March 2014 and subsequent sentencing to life in prison were initially upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2020.
This recent ruling marks a significant turning point in the case, freeing the men while ending over a decade of legal battles. Vybz Kartel and his co-accused have consistently maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings.