After more than a decade behind bars, Vybz Kartel will live free for the rest of his life in 2024. The Dancehall artiste received a life update on Wednesday (July 31) after the Jamaica Court of Appeal refused to retry his murder charges, according to Rolling Stone.
Vybz Kartel has been waiting months for the update to be released
It’s been a tumultuous year for the singer in relation to his freedom. He has been in prison since 2011. In March, the UK Privy Council overturn his sentenceAt the time, they cited jury misconduct, including allegations of bribery by one juror to other jurors.
As previously reported, a jury convicted Kartel — real name Adidja Palmer — of murdering Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams after he went missing. Jamaican police never found Williams’ body. Officers testified during the trial that they saw a text message on Vybz Kartel’s phone about the body being “minced meat.” Prosecutors allege the singer lured Williams to his home and left him beaten to death.
Adidha Palmer’s trial was one of the longest in Jamaica’s history, lasting 64 days. A judge eventually sentenced her to life in prison with a minimum of 35 years behind bars. The court reduced that to 32.5 years after the singer’s defense team appealed.
What happens next?
Immediately after the judgment was overturned, the Privy Council referred the case to the Court of Appeal for determination. whether Vybz Kartel and his co-defendants should stand trial again or be set free. The three-judge panel, Judge Marva McDonald-Bishop, Paulette Williams, And David Fraser, have chosen freedom.
According to Jamaica ObserverThe Court of Appeal stated that, “In the interests of justice, there is no need to order a new trial.”
Co-defendants Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John are also expected to be released.
It is unclear what Vybz Kartel plans to do next and whether he will return to music as the man who dominated the Caribbean in the early 2000s intended.
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